Burundi coup leader held: but will unrest continue?

Army chief Major General Godefroid Niyombare led a coup in a bid to stop the president seeking an allegedly unconstitutional third term in office.

President Nkurunziza had previously said he would stand for re-election, frustrating opposition groups who claim the move goes against a peace agreement which limits a presidential run to two five-year terms.

One police general and two army generals have also been arrested “for involvement in the aborted coup”, a presidential spokesman has said.

Failed coup

Mr Nkurunziza had been out of the country on Wednesday when the army general announced to thousands of protesters in the capital Bujumbura that he was leading a bid to gain control of the state.

Demonstrators who rallied against the presidents proposed third term in office cheered and celebrated the declared coup.

Mr Niyombare, who was fired from his role as intelligence chief in February, said he dismissed the president and his government.

“Regarding President Nkurunziza’s arrogance and defiance of the international community which advised him to respect the constitution and Arusha peace agreement, the committee for the establishment of the national concord decide: President Nkurunziza is dismissed, his government is dismissed too,” he said.

Despite the attempted coup, heavy fighting erupted on Thursday as forces loyal to the president retaliated.

La situation est maitrisée, il n’y a pas de coup d’Etat au #Burundi

— Burundi | Présidence (@BdiPresidence) May 13, 2015

The coup came after more than two weeks of protests across the capital as demonstrators clashed with police, leaving at least 20 people dead and several wounded.

President Nkurunziza has since returned to Burundi and is expected to make a national address, however, tensions remain high as opposition groups have called for rallies to continue.

Worst civil crisis in a decade

The failed coup against him has plunged the African nation into its deepest crisis in a decade.

The constitutional peace agreement which came into effect when Mr Nkurunziza took power in 2005 signalled the end of a 13-yer-old civil war between ethnic Hutus and Tutsis.

Fears are escalating that the current civil unrest could lead to further tensions between the two groups who span across neighbouring countries. Thousands have fled Burundi to neighbouring states including Rwanda, where a genocide killed 800,000 people in 1994.

Je demande à tous les burundais de garder le calme face à l’imposture. La situation est sous contrôle et l’ordre constitutionnel sauvegardé.

— Pierre Nkurunziza (@PierreNkurunziz) May 14, 2015