{The top US official for Africa has flown to Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam for the East African Community\u2019s emergency ministerial meeting on Burundi, the State Department announced on Monday.}<\/p>\n
The involvement of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield underscores the high degree of US concern over the potentially explosive situation in Burundi.<\/p>\n
Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the United Nations, warned last week that the crisis in Burundi could destabilise the Great Lakes region.<\/p>\n
Ms Thomas-Greenfield will take part in talks on the sidelines of the EAC\u2019s May 11-14 meeting in Tanzania, the State Department said.<\/p>\n
Her presence highlights \u201cUS support for the Arusha Agreement and political dialogue among all parties to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in Burundi,\u201d the department added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States commends the EAC for its leadership and engagement on Burundi,\u201d Monday\u2019s statement also said.<\/p>\n
Internal conflict<\/p>\n
Washington has previously declared its opposition to the decision by Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term. The US says his action violates the terms of the Arusha Agreement that was signed in 2000 to put an end to a bloody internal conflict in Burundi.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the UN last Friday, Ms Power raised the threat of US sanctions against those deemed responsible for fomenting violence in Burundi.<\/p>\n
At least 18 people taking part in protests against President Nkurunziza\u2019s bid for a third term have been killed during the past week in the capital city, Bujumbura.<\/p>\n
More than 50,000 Burundians have fled to Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo as insecurity has increased.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Nkurunziza has rejected EU and US calls to delay the controversial elections set for June.<\/p>\n
He told the BBC that such a move would plunge Burundi into a deeper crisis.<\/p>\n
Mr Nkurunziza claimed that the protests against his third-term bid had been orchestrated by “outside forces” and the deaths were regrettable.<\/p>\n
{{Africa Review}}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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