Pierre Nkurunziza

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has died of a heart attack at age 56

Located in central Africa, the small nation of Burundi is on the brink of civil war once again.

Representatives of Burundi’s government and opposition began a mediated effort on Monday to end the country’s political violence. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose decision to run for election to a third term triggered the bloodshed, was invited but wasn’t present at the opening ceremony. Proper negotiations will start in January.

Burundi’s fighting sides are to meet on December 28 in Uganda to discuss the country’s deadly political unrest, Uganda’s defense minister said Saturday.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Wednesday that Burundi is on the brink of a civil war that could engulf the region.

Burundi may have slipped off the world’s attention, but the crisis that erupted in May when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would seek a third term is far from being resolved.

Corruption, ethnic tensions, refugees, chaos could spread from small, poor Burundi after troubled election.