BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) – The U.S. envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes region on Tuesday urged Burundi’s government and the opposition to start internationally mediated talks without pre-conditions in order to end the country’s political crisis.
Tom Perriello told reporters in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, that the international community is keenly watching events in Burundi, where a series of extrajudicial killings has raised concern.
A regional bloc nominated Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to mediate the crisis but the talks have not started.
Perriello is visiting Burundi to express Washington’s “grave concerns” over the deteriorating political situation in Burundi, which has been hit by violence since April following the president’s controversial decision to seek a third term in office.
“The United States is alarmed by the violent and incendiary language used by the Burundian government as well as the violence by the security forces and security personnel or by anti-government actors,” he said.