Burundi missed the memo – coups work when president is in the country
Unlike burglars who like to visit when you are away, African putschists prefer to seize incumbents and parade them as trophies of war. IN the last two days the situation in Burundi remained fluid, the whereabouts of president Pierre Nkurunziza remained a mystery, but he was Friday set to make a national address, marking a […]
Security Council condemns Burundi coup: UN
The UN Security Council has condemned both those behind a coup attempt in Burundi and President Pierre Nkurunziza after weeks of violence in the southeast African country. In a unanimous statement on Thursday, the 15-member council said it condemned both those who “facilitate violence” against civilians and those who seek to seize power by unlawful […]
Pierre Nkurunziza Returns To Burundi
Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza says he has returned to the country and his troops say they are in control of key points, a day after a coup attempt. Mr Nkurunziza said he had come back on the Burundi presidency Twitter site. There were earlier fierce clashes in the capital, Bujumbura, particularly at the state radio […]
Burundi coup preventing mass violence – or making it worse?
Burundians danced in the streets of their capital Wednesday morning after General Godefroid Niyombare announced a military coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza. Niyombare, an army officer who was Burundi’s intelligence chief until Nkurunziza fired him three months ago, declared President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term illegal, and announced that the president had been […]
Coup attempt leaves Burundi army divided
Bujumbura (Burundi) (AFP) – Burundi’s armed forces chief announced Thursday that an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza had failed, although the claim was quickly denied by opponents of the central African nation’s leader. A top Burundian general, former intelligence chief Godefroid Niyombare, launched the coup on Wednesday, capping weeks of violent protests against the […]
Burundi president ‘fails to return’
Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza’s attempt to return home to tackle a coup has failed and he has returned to Tanzania where he was attending a summit, officials there told the BBC. Another source said the plane turned back after 10 minutes as it would have been unable to land safely in Burundi. The coup announced […]
Burundians flock to Tanzania, fleeing political violence
KIGOMA, Tanzania (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When heavily pregnant Hadija Mchume saw everyone in her Burundian village packing up to flee political violence, she knew she had to join them. “It was a terrible moment for me, but I was strong enough to run away because I wanted to spare the life of my unborn […]
Burundi protests continue despite Nkurunziza vow
At least four people have been killed in fresh protests in Burundi, witnesses say, after President Pierre Nkurunziza vowed not to seek a fourth term. A government supporter was burnt alive and an opposition supporter was shot in the head, the witnesses said. The African Union (AU) has joined the US in urging Mr Nkurunziza […]
Humanitarian Crisis Looming As Burundians Refugees Stream into Tanzania
A serious humanitarian crisis is looming as thousands of Burundi refugees stream into Tanzania and neighbouring countries to escape rising political tensions and violence at home, Tanzanian and international officials said on Wednesday. Tanzania’s home affairs ministry spokesman Isaac Nantanga said more than 4,000 Burundi nationals have crossed the border into Tanzania through various entry […]
Rwanda alarmed, warns Burundi over political unrest
KIGALI — Rwanda’s foreign minister said on Tuesday she was concerned about neighbouring Burundi’s clampdown on more than a week of protests against its president’s decision to seek a third term in office. President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would stand in a June 26 vote has plunged Burundi into its worst political crisis since […]
