The African Union (AU) has reiterated the need for dialogue and consensus in Burundi, said a statement from AU later Wednesday.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, continues to follow closely the developments in Burundi.

It is in this regard that the Chairperson participated in the extraordinary summit of the East African Community (EAC) which took place on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, according to the statement.

The chairperson recalled AU's principle rejecting unconstitutional changes of government and its commitment to the rule of law and democracy, as enshrined in the Constitutive Act and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

In this respect, the chairperson condemned in the strongest terms Wednesday's coup attempt in Bujumbura and she called for the return to constitutional order.

She urged all stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any act of violence likely to lead to further loss of lives, population displacement and destruction of property.

The chairperson expressed AU's full support to the efforts of the leaders of the EAC, in particular, the steps agreed upon at the Dar es Salaam Summit.

The summit agreed upon including "the call to Burundian authorities to postpone the elections for a period not beyond the mandate of the current government; regional efforts aimed to restore peace and stability so as to ensure the return of refugees and the holding of elections in a peaceful, free, fair, transparent and inclusive manner; and the cessation of violence by all parties," according to the statement.

The chairperson reiterated AU's appeal to all the Burundian stakeholders to accept the recommendations of the EAC summit, end all acts of violence and intimidation, respect fundamental human rights and freedoms, and engage in a genuine dialogue which will contribute to peace and stability in Burundi and create conditions conducive to the holding of free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections.

The chairperson also pledged AU's commitment to continuing to work with EAC leaders, as well as with other international stakeholders, to contribute to the search for a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis. Endi

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