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I'll step down after elections, Ndayizeye says

[Burundi] President Domitien Ndayizeye, who was sworn in on 30 April to lead Burundi’s second 18-month transitional period - 30 April 2003. IRIN
President Ndayizeye is in Pretoria to discuss post election power-sharing arrangements
    BUJUMBURA
    Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye said on Friday that he would abide by the current draft constitution and not run in presidential elections scheduled tentatively for April. "Our duty is to respect the constitution which states that whoever led the transition period could not run in the first elections," he said on national television. The announcement ends heated national debate on whether to amend the draft constitution before 28 February when a referendum on it is due. Ndayizeye's message contradicted earlier reports in the Burundian media in which he appeared to support amendments. On Friday, he said that amendments would delay the election timetable. "There is no more time for further consultation," he said. The plebiscite was initially set for October 2004 then postponed to 26 November and then again to 22 December. In December, it was delayed yet again. Ndayizeye called on presidential candidates to "to enter into competition in such a way as to help develop the country."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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