Burundi rivals fail to end tensions days before election

Last-ditch talks between Burundi's government and opposition aimed at resolving a major political crisis over President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial re-election bid appear to be headed for failure, sources close to the negotiations said. Presidential elections are due to take place in the impoverished country on Tuesday, and the opposition looks poised to boycott the polls altogether -- leaving Nkurunziza headed for certain victory but the country violently divided. The crisis began in April when Nkurunziza announced his intention to stand for a third consecutive five-year term, despite a constitutional two-term limit, sparking months of street protests and a failed coup in mid-May.

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