But the United Nations observer mission said the vote last month was not “inclusive, free and credible” and was held “in an environment of profound mistrust” between political rivals.
– Refugees urged to return –
Over 180,000 Burundians have fled the country fearing further violence, according to the UN refugee agency, but Nkurunziza called for them to return.
“Those who have fled the country have done so because of rumours,” he said. “We call upon all Burundian refugees to return to their homeland to participate in building their country.”
Burundi’s constitution only allows a president to be elected twice — for a total of 10 years in power — but before these polls Nkurunziza argued he had only been directly elected by the people once.
In power since 2005, when he was selected by parliament, he was re-elected in 2010.
Nkurunziza, a 51-year-old former sports teacher, was a Hutu rebel leader during the central African country’s 13-year civil war, when at least 300,000 people were killed.
The opposition and international community claimed a third term violated the Arusha accords that paved the way to end the war in 2006.
Top international envoys from the UN African Union, EU and US have called on all sides to “recommit to a transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive political dialogue”.
AU chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Sunday called for “utmost restraint” by all sides, warning of potential “catastrophic consequences” for troubled Burundi and the wider region if rivals do not resolve political differences peacefully.
The army has been hugely divided by the crisis, with the leaders of the failed July coup having gone into hiding.
Many people are worried at rising tensions in Bujumbura, where gunfire has been regularly heard at night.
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