International
Army attempts overthrow of 3rd term-seeking Burundi president
The Burundian army has declared it is taking control of Burundi in a radio announcement.
The coup d’etat was announced on a private radio, with senior army generals saying they were deposing the embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has travelled to Tanzania to meet East Africa Community leaders to discuss the recent violence that has rocked his country.
“Forces Vives de the Nation have decided to take charge of the nation,” Godefroid Niyombareh, who was fired by Nkurunziza as intelligence chief in February, said in the radio announcement.
“President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office.”
Niyombareh announced that a national salvation committee had been set up to run the country, and said he is working with civil society and other groups on forming transitional government.
“All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others,” Niyombare added.
However, military officers have been reported to be closing on the Radio-Télévision nationale du Burundi (RTNB), the country’s state broadcaster, as loyalists fire back to protect the building – still under loyalist control.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s opposition leaders have denied being behind the coup. Former rebel militia leader and presidential hopeful Agathon Rwasa told IBTimes UK he did not know about the coup.
“I am discovering it now on the radio, just like you,” he said from the capital Bujumbura. “Now, we will have to see what happens next.”
President Nkurunziza is running for a third term in office, which has sparked protests in the East African country.
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Apachee zooma
May 13, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Hahahahahaaha! National Salvation Committee!! Deja vue. E don tey!!!