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JOHANNESBURG. — African leaders meeting at a summit in Johannesburg on Monday agreed to send military experts to Burundi, which has been rocked by weeks of violence over the president’s controversial bid for a third term.

Since surviving a coup attempt last month President Pierre Nkurunziza has faced down international pressure to reconsider his attempt to stay in power, which diplomats fear could plunge the country into war.

“We are hoping to deploy at least 50 (military experts),” the African Union’s peace and security commissioner Smail Chergui told reporters. The mission of these people will be to observe what is happening and also to give counsel to the police if need be.” The unrest has left about 40 people dead and scores injured, mostly in the capital Bujumbura. More than 100 000 people have fled the violence to neighbouring countries. — AFP.