Thousands flood onto capital’s streets after Burundi journalist

THOUSANDS marched in celebatation through the Burundi capital Thursday after the release of a journalist from jail in one of the largest demonstrations in recent years, an AFP reporter said.

Vast crowds singing and dancing peacefully filled the streets of Bujumbura a day after Bob Rugurika, director of the popular independent African Public Radio (RPA), was released from prison on bail.

The arrest of Rugurika for “complicity” in the murder of three Italian nuns sparked protests by civil rights activists and fellow journalists, who have accused the government of doing all it can to sideline political challengers ahead of elections in May and June, including arrests, harassment and a clampdown on free speech.