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| - Burundi's key opposition party said Sunday its leader, Agathon Rwasa, would stand as its candidate to contest presidential elections in May. Rwasa, 56, the Hutu ex-rebel leader of the National Freedom Council (CNL), was chosen by senior party leadership and then approved by party members, said top party official Felix Mpozeriniga. Rwasa faces ruling party candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye, an army general and ally of current President Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza will not seek a new mandate after his controversial election to a third term in 2015 plunged the country into crisis. The violent aftermath of the last presidential election in 2015 made Burundi a focus of an investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged murder, rape, torture and disappearances. Civil unrest left 1,200 people dead and drove 400,000 from their homes. "We are already engaged in a very tough electoral campaign because we have before us a party, the CNDD-FDD, and a candidate, General Nadyishimiye, who are determined to do everything to keep power," CNL party official Aime Magera told AFP. "We are determined to go all the way this time." str/pjm/har
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