Burundi’s leading opposition politician has called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to hold talks with rivals and form a national unity government after this week’s election, saying it could help avert a new civil war.

Agathon Rwasa, a former rebel leader like Nkurunziza in Burundi’s civil war, told the Reuters news agency on Wednesday that there was an urgent need to prevent generals behind a failed coup in May taking up arms in the crisis sparked by the incumbent’s bid for a third term in office.

“Some have already been waving the threat of armed struggle,” he said.

“For the sake of Burundi, the idea of a government of national unity can be accepted,” he said, adding his demands also included new elections, possibly in a year.

Reacting to the call from the opposition, a presidential official told Reuters that Nkurunziza would not oppose forming a national unity government in the event of him winning the election.

“A government of national unity is not a problem for Pierre Nkurunziza, we are ready to do so,” Willy Nyamitwe, adviser to the president said.
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But he rejected the idea of cutting short any new five-year mandate as “impossible”.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Bujumbura, said opposition leaders have been talking up the possibility of a unity government even before Tuesday’s election.

Our correspondent, however, said the process could “take time” since the votes are still being counted.

Reports said voter turnout was over 70 percent, and was especially high in rural areas where Nkurunziza remains popular.