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The leaders from the East African Community (EAC) partner states on Sunday expressed their concerns at the political crisis on Burundi, calling for further postponement of elections in the East African country.
"The summit concerned at the continued impasse in Burundi and the need for further dialogue, called for the longer postponement of the elections in Burundi for a period not less than one and a half month," a communique said after an emergency summit of the EAC heads of state on the situation in Burundi, which brought together Presidents from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Parliamentary and presidential elections in the tiny central African country are scheduled to be held on June 5 and June 26, respectively.
Read by the EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera, the communique said the EAC leaders called on all political parties to stop violence.
"The leaders also called for the disarmament of all armed youth groups and for the creation of conditions for the return of refugees who have fled following weeks of political violence," said Sezibera.
The summit was attended by the EAC current chairman President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda while President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi were represented by their ministers of foreign affairs.
South African President Jacob Zuma also participated as a special guest in the summit for his pivotal role in the negotiations that had succeeded in bringing peace and stability to Burundi following the civil war.
Burundian government has insisted that parliamentary elections will take place on June 5 despite weeks of civil unrest on the streets of the capital Bujumbura and nearby provinces that has left at least 30 people dead and tens of thousands fleeing to neighboring countries.
Burundi has been thrown into a political crisis following growing opposition to an attempt by President Nkurunziza to run for a third term in office. Enditem
