Dar es Salaam - Burundi police battled with protesters Wednesday as East African leaders gathered for crisis talks aimed at ending weeks of deadly violence over the president's controversial third term bid.
As regional leaders and international envoys arrived in Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam, hundreds of protesters gathered in Burundi's capital Bujumbura, chanting anti-government slogans. Police fired shots in the air and tear gas to disperse them.
Clashes between security forces and demonstrators have raised fears of a return to violence in the central African state, which is still recovering from a brutal 13-year civil war that ended in 2006.
Despite intense international pressure, President Pierre Nkurunziza has repeatedly rejected international calls to end his bid for a third term.
The African Union, European Union and United States have condemned the actions of Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader from the Hutu majority who has been in power for a decade.
Over 20 people have been killed and scores wounded since late April, when Burundi's ruling party nominated Nkurunziza to stand for re-election in June 26 polls.
AFP
