U.S wants Nkurunziza to drop new term bid

The United States urged east African states to send high- level
representatives to Burundi to reiterate their opposition to
President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term and to press for
free and fair elections .

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U .S opposed
Nkurunziza’ s decision to run for another term, which was in
breach of the Arusha agreement that brought an end to the
country ’s civil war in 2005.

“The United States encourages high- level visits from Burundi ’s
neighbors to Burundi to reiterate the importance of upholding the
Arusha Agreement and ensuring the conditions necessary for free ,
fair , and credible elections , ” Reuters quoted Kirby as saying in a
statement.

Nkurunziza’ s decision has triggered the worst crisis in the small
African country since 2005 and raised concerns it could reignite
ethnic violence . His opponents said he is violating the
constitution, while supporters argued that a constitutional court
ruling allows him to run.

More than 11, 000 Burundians – about one percent of the
country ’s population – have already fled across the border for
fear violence will spread outside the capital.
Kirby said Washington supported the outcome of a summit of
African leaders in Tanzania on Sunday which called for a delay of
at least a month and a half in the poll .

The summit of the East African Community included Rwanda,
Kenya, Tanzania , Uganda and Burundi , and was joined by South
Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma .