U.S. urges African states to deliver message to Burundi on vote

A woman passes by policemen during a protest against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza and his bid for a third term in Bujumbura, Burundi, June 2, 2015. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States urged east African states to send high-level representatives to Burundi to reiterate their opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term and to press for free and fair elections.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United States opposed Nkurunziza's decision to run for another term, which was in breach of the Arusha agreement that brought an end to the country's civil war in 2005.