Fight erupts in Burundi between soldiers loyal to Burundi president Nkurunziza & ones loyal to army general Godefroid Niyombare

Fight erupts in Burundi between soldiers loyal to Burundi president  & army general Godefroid Niyombare

Heavy fighting over the control of affairs in Burundi is currently ongoing between soldiers loyal to Burundi president Nkurunziza and those loyal to the leader of the coup that overthrew the president yesterday, Godefroid Niyombare.

According to reports, soldiers loyal to President Nkurunziza are in full control of the presidential palace, the national radio and TV stations, the airport and the centre of Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital.


Media houses including radio and TV stations have been attacked and beaming signals stopped at the moment. The whereabouts of the President is still unknown as he has since left Tanzania where he went to brief members of the African Union on the crisis in his country regarding his third term bid when the coup was declared.

Meanwhile the African Union Peace & Security Council will convene an emergency meeting this afternoon to consider the situation in Burundi.

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Fight erupts in Burundi between soldiers loyal to Burundi president Nkurunziza & ones loyal to army general Godefroid Niyombare

Burundi President Nkurunziza reacts to coup declaration by army general Godefroid Niyombare, says it"s fake

President Nkurunziza reacts to coup declaration by army general

Burundian presidency has reacted to the coup declaration by Burundi’s army general Godefroid Niyombare earlier today. Gen Niyombare had told reporters that he has dismissed the government of President Nkurunziza following massive protest against his third term bid which has led to many deaths. Reacting, the presidency said people involved in the coup plot will be arrested. Read below…

“It is with regret that we have learned that a group of soldiers rebelled this morning and made a fake declaration about a coup. The Presidency of the Republic wants the public opinion both in Burundi and abroad to know that this coup attempt has been stopped and that the people who read that statement on private local radio are being sought by the defence and security forces so that they are brought to justice. The Presidency of the Republic is asking the people of Burundi as well as foreigners to keep calm. Everything is being done to maintain security across the national territory.”

Meanwhile Burundi citizens have taken to the streets to celebrate with soldiers after the coup was announced. See the photos below…

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Burundi President Nkurunziza reacts to coup declaration by army general Godefroid Niyombare, says it"s fake

Burundi army general declares coup against the country"s president Pierre Nkurunziza

Burundi’s army general Godefroid Niyombare just announced a coup against President Nkurunziza

 

According to reports, Burundi’s army general Godefroid Niyombare (left) has announced a coup against President Nkurunziza (right). Says he no longer recognizes PierreNkurunziza as President following massive protest and unrest over his bidto be re-elected for a third term.According to the army chief, the army is working with civil society groups, religious leaders and politicians to form a transitional government. He told reporters at a military barracks that the president had violated the constitution by seeking a third term.
 In a radio broadcast, Niyombare said;

“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.

The masses have decided to take into their own hands the destiny of the nation to remedy this unconstitutional environment into which Burundi has been plunged.

“The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza’s third-term mandate President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties. The government is overthrown.” he said.

In a swift reaction, the office of the president has rubbished the general’s declaration, calling it “a joke”. The president is in Tanzania at an African summit to discuss the crisis in his country

After the army general made the announcement, crowds who had earlier been out on the streets of the capital protesting against the president began cheering and celebrating his dismissal.

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Burundi army general declares coup against the country"s president Pierre Nkurunziza