Protesters in Burundi clashed with police for a third day Tuesday in fresh demonstrations against the president's bid to cling to power for a third term, witnesses said.

At least five people have died since clashes broke out Sunday after the ruling CNDD-FDD party, which has been accused of intimidating opponents, designated President Pierre Nkurunziza its candidate in the June 26 presidential election.

A former sports teacher, ex-rebel, football fanatic and born-again Christian, the president of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza, is dividing the nation over his bid to secure a third term in office.

Violent clashes broke out Sunday following the announcement that 51-year-old Nkurunziza, from Burundi's majority Hutu ethnic group, would run in June elections -- something his opponents say is a violation of the constitution and peace deal that ended Burundi's civil war in 2006.

Authorities in Burundi arrested a leading dissident and shut down the main independent radio station Monday as they battled a second day of demonstrations against a bid by the president to cling to power for a third term.

The army was also deployed around the capital Bujumbura, after at least two people were shot dead during clashes with police in the capital Bujumbura and after two further deaths were reported overnight in alleged attacks by ruling party militia.

Two protestors have been shot dead during clashes with police in the capital of Burundi, witnesses said on Sunday.

Clashes were taking place in several parts of Bujumbura the day after the president launched a controversial bid to stay in power for a third term and despite a government ban on protests.

Burundi's president was Saturday declared as candidate for a controversial third term in office, his ruling party announced, despite mounting protests over a move that the opposition says is unconstitutional.

There were fears the political crisis, during which President Pierre Nkurunziza's ruling CNDD-FDD party has also been accused of intimidating opponents, could push Burundi back into violence. 

Burundi has charged 65 protesters with rebellion after they were arrested during clashes with police while calling for the president not to seek re-election, a prosecutor said.

Tensions are high with opposition parties concerned at incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza's expected bid for re-election in June despite the constitutional limit of two terms.

The U.N. Security Council on Friday warned that upcoming elections in Burundi could turn violent and vowed to take action against those who are fomenting unrest.

The 15-member council called on the government and the opposition to refrain from acts of violence and intimidation ahead of the May parliamentary vote and the presidential polls that will follow.

Police in Burundi on Friday fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters calling for the president not to run for a third term, as tensions rise in the central African state.

Opposition parties are concerned at incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza's expected bid for a third term in June elections, despite the constitution stating a president can only be elected twice.

Burundian farmer Emmanuel Minani knew it was time to leave when the gang who had terrified him for months told him directly they would torch his house and kill him.

As elections in Burundi approach, thousands of people are fleeing into neighbouring Rwanda, fearing violence from the hands of the ruling party's youth wing, the Imbonerakure.

Burundi is at "crossroads" ahead of key elections, the U.N. rights chief said Wednesday -- between a fair vote that would boost the country and a route back to its "horrendously violent past."

"I will put it bluntly: as I prepared for this mission, I talked to many knowledgeable people, within and outside the U.N., in Geneva and New York," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein told reporters in Bujumbura.