Burundi is set to have a referendum on May 17 to decide whether to change the constitution and extend presidential terms from five to seven years. Human rights organizations are skeptical that the vote will be fair, citing sporadic incidents of violence and abductions. Emmanuel Bigirimana, the leader of Buganda district, reported an attack in the village of Ruhagarika, where armed individuals arrived and began shooting, resulting in deaths and injuries. Approximately 20 attackers, most of whom were dressed in military attire, were involved in the violence that erupted in Burundi in April 2015. The crisis was sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's announcement of his intention to seek a third term, a move deemed unconstitutional by the opposition and in violation of a peace agreement that had brought an end to the country's civil war in 2005. Despite Nkurunziza's re-election, some of his adversaries resorted to armed resistance. Rights organizations report that an estimated 400,000 individuals have fled to neighboring countries to escape the conflict. Both government officials and opposition members have been casualties of the ongoing violence between warring factions. The suggested alterations to the constitution would restrict the president to serving two consecutive terms, but would not consider previous terms, potentially allowing Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034. Three unnamed residents in the village suggested that the recent attack may have been a warning against supporting the constitutional changes. However, Bigirimana dismissed this idea, stating that the attackers were not driven by political motives, as they targeted three households and only killed women and children. He claimed that the attack was more likely a personal vendetta rather than politically motivated.