East Africa bloc sends delegation to Burundi, seeks to resolve crisis

The East African Community (EAC) on Monday sent a delegation of four foreign ministers to Burundi in hope of helping resolve the ongoing political crisis triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, a statement has said.

The political crisis in Burundi should be resolved by respecting the country's constitution and electoral laws, the statement quoted Tanzanian President Jayaka Kikwete, who is also chairman of EAC, as saying.

"I am also appealing to the international community to save Burundi from degenerating into chaos," he was quoted as saying.

Kikwete has sent foreign ministers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda to Burundi on a fact finding mission, adding that after the mission completes its task, he will convene an emergency summit of heads of EAS member states to discuss Burundi's political situation.

EAC includes Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Mindi Kasiga, spokesperson for Tanzania's foreign ministry, said the mission would hold talks with a wide range of political parties in Burundi.

Protests have escalated since April 26 -- one day after Nkurunziza was nominated by the ruling CNDD-FDD as its candidate for the June presidential election.

The opposition says his re-election bid violates the constitution which only allow the president to be elected to two terms in office.

However, the president's supporters say his first term doesn't count as he was appointed by parliament in 2005 after the civil war ended, not elected by the people.

Clashes have left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, the Red Cross says.

More than 25,000 Burundians have fled to Tanzania and Rwanda where they were expected to be granted refugee status.

Burundi's constitutional court on Tuesday ruled that Nkurunziza can run again in the upcoming presidential election, striking fears of a further escalation in protests against his decision. Endi