Burundi denounces U.S. interference in internal affairs

The Burundian government on Wednesday lashed out at U.S. criticism over the country's latest elections and accuses Washington of interfering in its internal affairs.

"The position of the United States on the Burundian electoral process shows its interference in internal affairs of a sovereign country in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and decisions taken by the African Union," the Ministry of External Relations and International Cooperation said in a statement.

The ministry was reacting to Tuesday's press release from the U.S. Department of State, which criticized the ongoing crisis in Burundi and how the authorities are managing it.

In addition, the State Department said the presidential poll held Tuesday in Burundi was not "credible" and would "discredit" the Burundian government.

The latest results of the controversial presidential poll show that Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is taking the lead over seven other candidates.

Burundi's opposition accuses Nkurunziza of violating the country's constitution by running for a third term while the limit is two. However, Nkurunziza has insisted on pursuing the presidency, denying any violation of the constitution.

The confrontation has sparked a wave of political violence in the country that killed more than 70 people since late April.

On July 6, East African Community leaders appointed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to lead and facilitate a high-level dialogue in a bid to find a lasting solution to the current political situation in Burundi.

Regarding the Uganda-mediated talks, which were suspended last weekend, the Burundian foreign ministry called for avoidance of "polemics," stressing that everyone "should respect Africa in the search of solutions to its problems." Endi