At least two protesters have been killed in Burundi, according to a leading rights activist, as demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office entered a second week.

Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a veteran member of the civil society groups which called for the rallies on Monday, said the two protesters were shot dead in the capital, Bujumbura.

The police had no immediate comment but said they would issue a statement later, the Reuters news agency reported.

Thousands of protesters joined Monday’s protest with some managing to reach the centre of the capital, which they had previously failed to access amid heavy police and military presence.

Gunfire rang out and men ducked for cover as some shopkeepers hurriedly closed their businesses. Several people were also injured after the gunfire, the Associated Press news agency reported citing witnesses.

The government has called the demonstrations an “insurrection” and accused protesters of stoking violence.

Burundi’s government has vowed a major crackdown on political protests, accusing opposition and civil society groups of providing cover for a “terrorist enterprise”.

The African nation’s Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama on Saturday said that an overnight grenade attack that killed three people, including two police officers, was “linked to those who say they are demonstrating” against the president.

“We heard these criminals used grenades and guns, and for us they are linked to those who say they are demonstrating because they consider the police, who are bringing peace and security, to be their enemy,” Nizigama said. Al Jazeera