Burundi’s government has rejected the African Union’s plans to deploy a 5,000-strong peacekeeping force to stop escalating violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s extended tenure in office.

Burundi police fired tear gas and beat protesters demanding president Pierre Nkurunziza end his bid for a third term, in a resurgence of unrest that has stoked fears of ethnic conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes. 

Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza has made his first appearance in the capital since the attempted coup against his government last week.