Top US diplomat visiting protest-hit Burundi

Washington (AFP) - A top US diplomat was due to meet Burundian officials Wednesday amid deadly demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term.

Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski said in a tweet that Washington was "disappointed" Nkurunziza was not sticking by a deal reached to end the 2006 civil war.

"Not too late for leaders/ppl to stay on peaceful democratic path," he said on his Twitter account.

At least five people have died since unrest broke out over the weekend, when the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated Nkurunziza its candidate for the presidential election to be held in the central African nation on June 26.

Opposition figures and rights groups say Nkurunziza's attempt to stand for a third consecutive term goes against the constitution as well as the peace deal that ended a civil war in 2006.

It was not immediately clear who Malinowski would be meeting with in the capital, Bujumbura.

Malinowski said his schedule was in flux "but will try to speak with as many people & parts of Burundi community as possible."

He vowed to "keep the focus on rights of #Burundi ppl. We & Sec Coun made clear will be consequences for those responsible for violence."

The constitutional court meanwhile was examining Nkurunziza's presidential campaign efforts.

The constitution says the president is elected by universal direct suffrage, "for a mandate of five years renewable one time."

The country is also holding parliamentary elections on May 26, a month ahead of the presidential vote.

Amid threats by pro-government militias, some 25,000 Burundians have fled the country in recent weeks, according to the UN refugee agency, which has warned the numbers could rise.