Protesters march again in Burundi's capital despite ban

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — About 2,000 people marched through a neighborhood of Burundi's capital as police looked on, breaking the government's ban on any further street protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in power.

Small groups of young men on Monday set up barricades the Musaga area of Bujumbura, the capital, and checked pedestrians and vehicles taking part in the march. Police and army soldiers negotiated with protesters to allow trucks to pass through the procession.

Trucks succeeded in making deliveries of fuel to Bujumbura. Earlier demonstrations had disrupted fuel distributions, causing prices to rise.

At least 14 people have been killed and 216 injured in the protests, which have now entered their third week.

Nkurunziza's government on Saturday forbid any further protests and ordered all state officials report back to work and all schools to reopen on Monday.

Burundi's Constitution states a president can be popularly elected to two five-year terms. Nkurunziza maintains he can run for a third term because parliament elected him for his first term, leaving him open to be popularly elected to two terms.

The protests started on April 25 after the ruling party nominated Nkurunziza to run for re-election in elections set for June.

More than 50,000 Burundians have fled to neighboring countries fearing violence ahead of the elections, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

The U.S. and the African Union have said Nkurunziza should not seek a third term.