EAC leaders call off summit on Burundi crisis after reported coup

The heads of states of the East African Community (EAC) on Wednesday called off their planned extraordinary summit on Burundi political crisis following reports of a coup in the country.

"The EAC heads of state have condemned the reported coup attempt in Burundi," said a statement by the Presidential Directorate of Communications at State House in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the current chairman of the EAC and Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya addressed a news conference, saying the reported coup would not be the right solution to end political crisis triggered by Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term which left more than 10 people dead with over 40,000 fleeing to neighboring Rwanda and Tanzania.

President Jakaya Kikwete said the EAC top leaders received news of the military coup in Burundi with disappointment.

"This is not a proper way to resolve the Burundi political crisis," said Kikwete.

The EAC leaders asked the Burundi electoral body to call off the planned election scheduled for June 26 until the situation stabilizes.

They also appealed to Burundi leaders and state organs to respect and go back to their constitutional order.

Nkurunziza did not show up at the venue of the aborted summit. According to Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nkurunziza has left Tanzania heading back to Burundi.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties to exercise calm and restraint in Burundi. Endi