Hundreds of people protested in the streets of Burundi on Monday following a failed coup last week to oust the country's president.
Protests have been ongoing in Burundi since April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would be running for a third term. Presidents are limited to two terms in office by both the 2000 Arusha accords that ended Burundi’s civil conflict and the country’s 2005 constitution.
Unlike previous weeks however, protesters clashed with armed military personnel as officials warned against protests. The government of Burundi is seen to be ramping up its campaign against protests with army patrols roaming the capital and soldiers stationed in areas where protests were expected.
On Monday the President also dismissed three cabinet ministers in a cabinet shuffle - defence, foreign affairs and commerce. The presidential spokesperson denied that the shuffle was any sign of difficulties in government saying, “The president is not worried. He is in charge of this country and everything is under control.”
In his first appearance before reporters since the attempted coup, President Nkurunziz warned of the threat of Al-Shabaab, but said nothing of the coup or protests.
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