Peace talks put on hold awaiting EAC Summit as KCB Burundi closes following explosion at car park.
The United Nations-sponsored talks between Burundi’s government, the opposition and civil society groups have been suspended to await further direction from the East African Community Heads of State Summit scheduled for Sunday in Dar es Salaam.
"The issue of President Nkurunziza's candidacy is beyond our capacity so we are going to seek guidance and further help from the EAC Heads of State Summit," said Said Djinnit, the UN special envoy on the Great Lakes Region.
Mr Djinnit said, however, that the rival sides have agreed on some issues that include the reopening of the independent radio stations shut down on accusation of supporting protestors, releasing activists from prison and cancelling arrest warrants issued to some opposition and civil society leaders.
Activists have however maintained that "Nkurunziza's bid for a third term is not negotiable, the Arusha Accord and the Constitution are very clear about this; they only allow not more than two terms in office," said Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, the chairman of Burundi association for the protection of human rights and detainees (APRODH).
The negotiations facilitated by the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (Menub) together with Comesa, EAC and ICGLR started on May 5.
Protests in Bujumbura have taken place for the past month and left at least 30 people dead after violent clampdown by police. During Friday’s protests, the Kenya Commercial Bank was closed after an explosion was heard outside its car park.
"We wish to advise that there was an incident that happened earlier today (Friday) at the car park outside our KCB Burundi main branch. The incident resulted in disruption of banking services and as a result the branch remains closed for business today," KCB posted on its Twitter account.
Three vehicles were burnt down with no one reported injured.