Godefroid Niyombareh, a major general in Burundi’s army general, says President Pierre Nkurunziza has been overthrown as head of country in protest of his third-term re-election bid.
Niyombareh, who spoke to the nation via a radio broadcast on Wednesday, announced that a national salvation committee had been set up to run the country forthwith.
“Regarding President Nkurunziza’s arrogance and defiance of the international community, which advised him to respect the constitution and Arusha peace agreement, the committee for the establishment of the national concord decides: President Nkurunziza is dismissed, his government is dismissed too,” he said.
“The masses have decided to take into their own hands the destiny of the nation to remedy this unconstitutional environment into which Burundi has been plunged.
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“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.”
Though celebrations were recorded in many parts of the country after the declaration, it is unclear how much support the “coup” would get.
Nkurunziza is currently in Tanzania to meet other East African leaders to discuss the crisis, but one of his aides dismissed the coup report, saying, “We consider it as a joke, not as a military coup”.
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The civil unrest, which began on April 26 after Nkurunziza declared his intentions to run for an unconstitutional third term, has resulted to the deaths of more than 20 people in the country.
Tens of thousands are reported to have fled the country in the wake of the unrest.
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