Only dialogue can lead to a lasting solution, says African Union Commission chairwoman.

The chairwoman of the African Union Commission has urged all political parties in Burundi to engage in meaningful dialogue so as to end the wave of protests in the East African nation.

"We are deeply concerned by the political stalemate and humanitarian situation," Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said late Friday at a Peace and Security Council meeting.

African heads of state and government are currently meeting at the African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

She said Burundi had started enjoying peace after many years of civil war but the current situation was worrying and politicians needed to ensure that the country does not slide back into civil war.

"We think it is only dialogue that can lead to a lasting solution," Zuma said in her address.

Zuma urged the Burundian government and opposition to consider the plight of their people, as nothing is more important than the welfare of their citizens.

- South Sudan

Commenting on the conflict in South Sudan, Zuma said it was unfortunate that the humanitarian situation in the country was continuing to deteriorate.

"The people of South Sudan are sometimes unable to bury dead bodies. The bodies are eaten by vultures," she said.

Zuma also wondered why those fighting in conflicts were killing civilians.

"How can we kill people when we want to preside over them?" she asked.

Zuma said the African Union, the government of South Sudan and opposition groups need to do more to engage in dialogue and end the conflict.

"The people of south Sudan need to enjoy their freedom," she said.

South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, but since then has never enjoyed peace.

Conflict broke out in South Sudan in 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former vice president Riek Machar of plotting to overthrow his government.

Machar went on to form an armed rebel group that has been fighting with government troops.

Thousands of people have since been displaced and the Red Cross has warned of a looming food crisis.

"We must not wait for human rights violations to turn into massacres," said a message read on behalf of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the AU summit.

The secretary-general added that the United Nations was confident that if it works jointly with the African Union, it would end conflict on the continent and give people a decent life.