Burundi opposition picks presidential contender as U.N. warns of rights abuses

FILE PHOTO: Burundi's opposition leader and deputy speaker in parliament Agathon Rwasa, addresses the media after casting his ballot at a polling centre during the constitutional amendment referendum in Kiremba commune in Ngozi province, Burundi May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Evrard Ngendakumana

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Burundi's opposition CNL on Sunday picked the current chairman of the National Assembly as its candidate in the presidential election in May which the United Nations says is likely to be marred by violence.

A former rebel leader, Agathon Rwasa, 56, fought in Burundi’s civil war, as did current President Pierre Nkurunziza, who will not seek re-election in the May poll. Like the president, he also comes from the northern Burundi province of Ngozi and the same ethnic group, the Hutu.