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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Regional leaders are urging Burundi’s government to delay presidential elections by two weeks as the central African country grapples with violence sparked by the president’s bid for a third term.
Presidential elections are scheduled for July 15, and the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza has previously indicated it is opposed to postponing the polls.
Regional leaders under the East African Community bloc, of which Burundi is a member, met in Tanzania on Monday to discuss the situation in Burundi as the government presses ahead with the controversial polls.
The summit called for a government of national unity no matter who wins the polls, and also urged Nkurunziza’s government to disarm all armed groups that are accused of fuelling violence in the country.