A top Burundian general on Wednesday announced the overthrow of President Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of violent protests against the president’s bid to stand for a third term.
General Godefroid <g data-gr-id="38">Niyombare</g>, a powerful former intelligence chief, announced the coup attempt hours after the president left for neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on ending the crisis.
“President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office, the government is dissolved,” General <g data-gr-id="36">Niyombare</g> said in the radio broadcast.
“All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others,” he added.
<g data-gr-id="37">Niyombare</g> is a highly respected figure who was sacked from his position as the central African nation’s powerful chief of intelligence in February.
The general said on <g data-gr-id="40">private</g> radio that he was committed to the democratic process and would work with others towards holding elections.
He said he would form a “committee for the restoration of national harmony,” a temporary body whose “mission, among others, is the restoration of national unity... and the resumption of the electoral process in a peaceful and fair environment.”