17:06
Burundi’s
former intelligence chief claims to have dismissed the country’s president,
Pierre Nkurunziza, whose bid for a third term in office has sparked violent
unrest that has left at least 20 people dead and forced more than 50,000 to
flee the country.
Major General Godefroid Niyombare, who was fired by
Nkurunziza as intelligence chief three months ago, told reporters at a military
barracks in the capital, Bujumbura, that he was working with civil society
groups, religious leaders and politicians to form a transitional government.
"Active
Forces of the Nation have decided to take charge of the country,"
Godefroid Niyombareh, who was fired by Nkurunziza as intelligence chief in
February, said in a radio address. "President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed
from office."
However, the presidential office dismissed the claims.
A tweet from the Burundi presidency said the attempted coup "failed".
"The situation is under control, there is no coup
in Burundi," the message read.
The
coup d'etat was announced in a radio broadcast, with senior army generals
saying they were deposing embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is travelling to
Tanzania to meet leaders of the East Africa Community - made up of Kenya,
Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi - to discuss the recent violence that
has rocked his country.
A
South African foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters "it's way too early
to say" whether a coup had taken place in Burundi but added the situation
was being closely monitored.
Nevertheless, Niyombareh announced a national
salvation committee had been set up to run the country and said he is
working with civil society and other groups on forming a transitional
government. "All people are asked to respect the lives and property of
others," he added.
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