April 25
The ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) announces that then-President Pierre Nkurunziza will be its candidate in June elections, triggering widespread demonstrations in the then-capital, Bujumbura.
April 26
The government bans live reporting from the sites of the demonstrations by three popular radio stations – Radio publique africaine (RPA), Radio Isanganiro, and Radio Bonesha FM, suspends their broadcasts outside the capital, and cuts off their telephone land lines.
April 27
The government completely shuts down RPA’s broadcasts, including in Bujumbura, and shuts down the Media House (la Maison de la Presse), a gathering place for local media. The police arrests Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, president of the human rights group APRODH, who had gone to give an interview at la Maison de la Presse. The police kicked and roughed up Mbonimpa, aged 66, who was released the next day.