Rival groups of soldiers are fighting each other in Burundi’s capital amid confusion over the success of an attempted coup against the president.
Gunfire and explosions were heard near state radio and television overnight.
President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is reported to be in Tanzania, has appealed for calm and said the coup has been foiled. But the coup leaders insist they remain in charge.
The unrest began when Mr Nkurunziza announced he was seeking a third term.
Opponents say the bid contravenes the constitution. Mr Nkurunziza came to power in 2005.
The coup was announced by Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief and ally of the president, after Mr Nkurunziza left for regional talks in Tanzania on Wednesday.
“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 radio broadcast.
Thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the announcement, marching on the centre of the capital, Bujumbura, alongside soldiers and two tanks.
One protester told the BBC this was a victory after weeks of protests.
Overnight, army chief of staff Gen Prime Niyongabo – a supporter of the president – announced the coup “has been stopped” after talks with the defence minister, who backs the overthrow.
And President Nkurunziza tweeted that the situation was under control and “constitutional order has been safeguarded”.
But this was contradicted by the coup leaders, one of whom said they were in control of “virtually the entire city” of Bujumbura.
“The soldiers who are being deployed are on our side,” coup spokesman Venon Ndabaneze also told the AFP news agency.
Within the army itself, factions loyal to each side reportedly began fighting each other for control of the national television and radio station overnight.
Loud blasts and heavy gunfire rang out.
The scenes of joy in the streets on Wednesday have been replaced by an uneasy silence, interrupted by sporadic gunfire. The streets of Bujumbura are deserted. It has been an anxious night.
People have their ears stuck to their radio sets, listening to the only two private broadcasters still running. One of the two was attacked overnight. The popular RPA – Radio Publique Africaine, which broadcast an interview with Gen Niyombare on Wednesday – was also targeted and had to shut down.
The usually vibrant private media play a key role in shaping opinion here, and President Nkurunziza’s supporters have been targeting them since the beginning of the crisis.
A lot of the tension overnight was also concentrated around the national broadcaster, which is strategic because it is the only outlet still broadcasting outside the capital.
Wednesday’s events unfolded after President Nkurunziza flew to the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam for a meeting with other East African leaders to discuss the crisis.
Officials there told the BBC that he had flown back to Burundi upon learning of the coup.
But the airport and borders were ordered to be closed by Gen Niyombare, and so Mr Nkurunziza had to return to Dar es Salaam.
A senior Tanzanian presidential security official told the AFP that he is in a secret location in Dar es Salaam.
source: BBC
Via: -Daily Guide
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