BUJUMBURA: A top Burundian general launched a coup attempt against Presi­dent Pierre Nkurunziza on Wednesday, after weeks of violent protests against the president’s bid for a third term.

General Godefroid Niyom­ bare, a powerful former intelligence chief who was sacked earlier in the year, announced via a private radio station that the president had been overthrown hours after he left for neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders.

He also ordered the closure of Bujumbura airport and the landlocked central African nation’s borders.

The outcome of the coup was uncertain, however, with the presidency dismissing what it said was an “imaginary coup” and vowing the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The Tanzanian government said President Nkurunziza was flying back home.

Pro-Nkurunziza troops were still in control of key institutions, including the presidential palace and state broadcaster, a correspondent and witnesses said. Troops fired warning shots to stop demonstrators from marching on the television and radio building.

“President Pierre Nkur­unziza is removed from office, the government is dissolved,” General Niyombare said in the dramatic broadcast on the Insaganiro radio station, which sent opposition supporters into the street in celebration.

“All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others”, said the general, vowing he was committed to the democratic process and would form a “committee for the restoration of national harmony” and work for “the resumption of the electoral process in a peaceful and fair environment”.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2015

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