Burundi crisis talks suspended after government fails to turn up

Talks between Burundi's government and opposition aimed at resolving a major crisis over President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial re-election bid were suspended on Sunday after the government failed to turn up, the Ugandan mediator said.

"Today, we have adjourned sine die, because yesterday we agreed that we will all be here by nine o'clock in the morning. We have been waiting, we have been making calls and we have not seen anyone from government," said Ugandan Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga.

"Since dialogue takes two parties the absence means we have to hold until the government is ready to continue the dialogue. The dialogue is not over... we have to be patient, we give the benefit of the doubt to the government."