The African Union has abandoned its plan to send 5,000 peacekeepers to help restore stability to troubled Burundi. Officials said they would instead encourage political dialogue between Burundi’s opposing sides.
The decision came after a closed-door session at the AU where African leaders are meeting for a two-day summit.
Smail Chergui, AU commissioner for peace and security, told a press conference in the Ethiopian capital on Sunday that a proposed deployment of 5,000 troops would be deferred until permission was granted by Bujumbura.
Chergui said an AU delegation would now fly to Burundi to hold talks aimed at ending the violence.
Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza had fiercely opposed the AU plans 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.
