In line with the Burundian government's crackdown on dissenting voices and political opponents, the nation's Interior Ministry has suspended the statute and activities of opposition Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) party, whose leader Alexis Sinduhije is in exile.

After a failed coup led by a disloyal faction within the army's high command in May 2015, the government intensified its bloody crackdown on dissident and forcing the majority of the nation's stifled opposition in exile.

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Recent reports increasingly points to a regime shifting towards totalitarianism: populations are forced to pay "voluntary" contributions to fund public works including buildings for the ruling CNDD-FDD, whose youth league Imbonerakure have in areas taken over the role of a para-military security force.

The United Nations describe the Imbonerakure, who have been accused of committing serious violations of human rights, as a "militia".

Accusing the MSD of engaging in "forming an armed group to fight against Burundi", Interior Minister Pascal Barandagiye ordered a six-month suspension of the MSD, one of the largest opposition party in the country.

"(Given that) members of the MSD party continue to show a recidivist behaviour of inciting violence and hatred (...) the party's activities are suspended for a duration of six months and its premises closed throughout the national territory," an official ministerial order, dated 4 April, stipulated.

The order gives details of why all the party's headquarters – national and local – would be closed for a period of four months.

MSD is yet to comment on the allegations. A supporter, meanwhile, rubbished the executive order, saying: "It's a waste of time because the party lives and moves everywhere now."

Burundi's crisis has killed thousands of people and pits supporters of President Pierre Nkurunziza against those who say that his re-election in July 2015 for a third term violated the nation's constitution.

Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza