(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Burundi has postponed presidential elections to July 21 from July 15, according to a government statement Saturday, after East African leaders called for a delay amid the ongoing protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term.
Leaders from the East African Community (EAC), which appointed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to mediate between the government and the opposition, called this week for the polls to be held on July 30.
Government spokesman Philippe Nzobanariba said the presidential elections would be delayed no later than July 26, as required by the constitution. The polls must be held at least a month before the mandate of the incumbent expires on August 26.
Nkurunziza agreed to delay the polls slated for June 26 to July 15 hours after the United Nations warned escalating violence committed by a pro-government militia could push the country into a civil war.
Opposition representative Charles Nditije told dpa: "Postponement of presidential election is not the matter. Nkurunziza must go and this is what should be talked about."
Burundi has seen months of violent protests since Nkurunziza announced in April he would run again for office - a decision that the opposition has declared unconstitutional.
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