African Union abandons plans to send peacekeepers to Burundi

The African Union has abandoned plans to send five thousand peacekeepers to help restore stability to troubled Burundi.  

Officials say they would instead encourage political dialogue between Burundi's opposing sides.  

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza had fiercely opposed the AU plan to send peacekeepers.  

His decision last April to seek a third term in office has led to ongoing violence and fears that Burundi is sliding into ethnic conflict. 

Reports from the UN indicates that at least 439 people have died and 240 thousand  fled abroad.


BBC