Burundian Military Commander: Coup Against President Has Failed

The commander of the Burundian military announced that the coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza has failed and he still holds power with the support of his followers. However, heavy military clashes are reportedly ongoing in the country, which may continue. According to a Reuters report on May 13, the military general's statements came after another general named 'Niyongabo' claimed that Nkurunziza had been ousted in protest against his illegal third presidential term. The clashes in Burundi have caused unrest and concern among neighboring countries. The report states that at the time of the coup, the Burundian president was in Tanzania. It also indicates that fighting and gunfire are occurring around the state radio and television building. A government spokesperson said communication was cut off for hours due to the fighting, but the radio and television station is still under the control of 'the president's supporters.' Reuters reports that it is currently impossible to determine who controls the capital. The president's opponents are trying to seize the radio and television station, the airport, and the offices of the presidential palace. An eyewitness told Reuters that the body of a soldier killed near the Ministry of Interior was on the ground, and soldiers said he was 'one of the coup supporters.' The Burundian president stated in a radio message: 'I condemn the planners of this coup, thank my supporters, and will pardon soldiers who surrender.' Two weeks ago, after Nkurunziza announced his intention to remain in power for a third term, the atmosphere in Burundi became tense. A president in Burundi can only serve two consecutive five-year terms. There have been no precise reports on the current location of the Burundian president, but some sources say he is in Tanzania in a safe place in Dar es Salaam. Despite the ongoing clashes, the president's supporters have declared that 'the coup has failed.' The civil war in Burundi ended in 2005 during the struggle between the Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority, with Nkurunziza being the leader of the Hutu majority at that time. Although efforts have been made to minimize tensions since the end of the civil war and the formation of a central government, complete peace has not been established, raising concerns among neighboring countries. Critics of the Burundian presidency argue that pursuing a third presidential term is unconstitutional, and any constitutional violation could also breach the peace agreement that ended the country's civil war. A Burundian constitutional court has stated that the president can participate in the third presidential term because he was elected by parliament in the first term and not by popular vote. Therefore, his third term through election could be considered his second term with the people's vote. Opponents claim that this ruling from the constitutional court is 'biased' and lacks legal basis. Several eyewitnesses have reported that private radio networks that announced the coup have come under police attack. The Tanzanian foreign minister has called for calm, and 'Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,' the African Union commissioner, has called for a return to order and law in Burundi. According to the United Nations, 70,000 Burundian citizens have fled to neighboring countries during the recent clashes.