In This Issue:

- Leading the News

- United States – Africa Relations

- North Africa

- East Africa

- West Africa

- Sub - Saharan Africa

- General Africa News

- Excerpt from Leading the News:

Burundi -

On May 8th, the Office of the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the eruption of pre-election violence in Burundi last month has seen over 50,000 people flee to neighboring countries. The U.N. estimates 25,004 refugees have crossed into Rwanda, while another 17,696 people have left Burundi for Tanzania. An additional 8,000 refugees have also crossed into South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UNHCR also warned the situation in Burundi could undo some of the most promising developments in recent refugee history in Africa, including one of the world’s largest and most successful voluntary return programs for Burundian refugees.

On May 8th, ahead of a Saturday deadline, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza registered to run for a third term, a move that was anticipated to further anger protestors already demonstrating against his bid for another five years in office. While the country’s constitutional court ruled last week that President Nkurunziza’s candidacy is constitutional, opponents say his plan to run violates the constitution and the peace deal that ended Burundi’s 2005 civil war. The opposition has vowed to continue to protest until President Nkurunziza withdraws from the race.