Burundi’s military declared a coup against the current president Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of clashes between police and demonstrators protesting the president’s decision to run for a 3rd term in presidency.
The military Major General Godefroid Niyombare, in a press statement said,
“President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office, the government is dissolved. All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others.”
The coup, comes after over two weeks of intensifying demonstrations against the president’s decision to run for a 3rd term in office, which saw at least 22 people die, reports the Telegraph.
The president’s office dismissed the coup, stating,
“The presidency informs national and international public opinion that this coup attempt has been foiled and that these people, who read the coup announcement on the radio, are being hunted by defence and security forces so that they can be brought to justice.”
Mr Nkurunziza is currently in Tanzania holding crisis talks.
US threatens Burundi with sanctions (09 May 2015)
The military Major General Godefroid Niyombare, in a press statement said,
“President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office, the government is dissolved. All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others.”
The coup, comes after over two weeks of intensifying demonstrations against the president’s decision to run for a 3rd term in office, which saw at least 22 people die, reports the Telegraph.
The president’s office dismissed the coup, stating,
“The presidency informs national and international public opinion that this coup attempt has been foiled and that these people, who read the coup announcement on the radio, are being hunted by defence and security forces so that they can be brought to justice.”
Mr Nkurunziza is currently in Tanzania holding crisis talks.
US threatens Burundi with sanctions (09 May 2015)