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Attempted coup: Burundi president comes out from the cold

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After days of speaking from hiding outside the country because of the attempted military coup in his home country Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza on Sunday made his first official appearance

President Nkurunziza flew to Tanzania earlier Wednesday to meet regional leaders on the political crisis in his country but a coup was launched against him hours after his departure.

He made a public appearance on Sunday appearing relaxed and assertive of his full control of the central African nation.

Dressed in a blue blazer and polo shirt, the president smiled and shook hands with reporters at the presidency in Bujumbura’s city centre, and gave only a brief statement without even mentioning the attempt to overthrow him.

Nkurunziza spoke only about reported threats from Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants, who have warned of attacks against Burundi and other states that contribute troops to the African Union force in Somalia.

“We have taken measures against Al-Shebab. We take this threat seriously,” the president said.

Bujumbura was calm on Sunday, although civil society and opposition activists have vowed to resume street protests on Monday. Weeks of protests have already left at least 20 people dead, many of them shot by police dispersing the demonstrations.

General Godefroid Niyombare on May 13 announced the overthrow of President Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of violent protests against the president’s bid to stand for a third term

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