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After failed military coup, Burundi president urges end to protests

Supporters of President Pierre Nkurunziza celebrate his return in the streets of Bujumbura, Burundi, on Friday. (Associated Press)
Tom Odula And Gerard Nzohabona Associated Press

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – President Pierre Nkurunziza thanked his security forces Friday for crushing a military coup that tried to topple him, and he urged an immediate halt to the protests that have erupted in Burundi in recent weeks since he decided to seek a third term.

Nkurunziza’s motorcade rolled into the capital earlier in the day and he returned to the presidential palace, said his spokesman, Gervais Abayeho. The president did not appear in public.

His jubilant supporters cheered his return and the failure of the coup. Maj. Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief, had announced Wednesday while Nkurunziza was in Tanzania that he had relieved the president of his duties.

That triggered fierce fighting in the capital between his forces and those loyal to Nkurunziza. The city was calm but tense Friday, with many businesses closed. Some residents who don’t support the government emerged from their homes to resume protests.

Three army generals accused of trying to topple Nkurunziza were arrested when they were found hiding in a house, while another senior security official was caught at the border while trying to flee to Tanzania, Abayeho said. He added that Niyombare remained at large and a manhunt was underway.

U.N. officials urged authorities to ensure a campaign of reprisals does not take place against the supporters of the coup and other government opponents in the impoverished Central African country.

In New York, members of the U.N. Security Council also called for the swift return of the rule of law and a genuine dialogue to create conditions for peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections.

The protests began April 26, a day after the ruling party made Nkurunziza its presidential candidate, and at least 15 people have been killed in the unrest.

Opponents said his plan violated the constitution as well as peace accords that ended a civil war. The constitution states a president can be popularly elected to two five-year terms, but Nkurunziza maintains he can run for a third because parliament voted him into office the first time, leaving him open to be popularly elected to two terms.