Major General Godefroid Niyombare claimed he had taken over the government of Burundi, replacing President Pierre Nkurunziza by force of arms. Nkurunziza had announced that he would be running for another term as president. According to Burundi’s constitution, no president may hold three consecutive terms of office.
Niyombare, who was once Burundi’s ambassador to Kenya, was fired by President Nkurunziza just a few months ago. Niyombare claimed that he was putting together an interim government, which he would head, until elections could be held.
Prior to Wednesday’s reported coup, Burundi had undergone weeks of violent protests. Crowds of protestors gathered, throwing rocks, bottles and anything else they could find. President Nkurunziza mobilized the army to squash the riots. At least twenty people died as the result of clashing with the soldiers.
PROTESTS IN BURUNDI
The protests broke out when Nkurunziza’s attempt for a third term was made public. Burundi’s version of the Supreme Court handed down a decision that set the wheels in motion. The court stated that since Nkurunziza’s first term was by appointment and not by democratic process, that his first term was not bound by the constitution. The general population of Burundi disagreed and took to the streets, shouting that the court was corrupt.
When the violence continued and escalated, people began to flee Burundi. Officials estimate that 50,000 people have left the country, with more exiting every day. Some say the number of refugees could eventually surpass 250,000, if the situation is not stabilized.
Burundi has a bloody history of violence and civil unrest. During the racial civil war that occurred in 2005, genocide was narrowly avoided. Still, 300,000 victims fell dead before the violence came to an end.
BURUNDI COUP UNCONFIRMED
South African officials stated that they were aware of the situation in Burundi, but they had been unable to confirm whether or not a coup had taken place.
U.S. officials and officials from Europe have decried Nkurunziza’s predilection for violence. Most Western officials have condemned Nkurunziza’s legal end-run around the constitution as foolish. As Niyombare declared he was the new president of Burundi, a number of African leaders were gathered in Tanzania to discuss the unrest and violence in Burundi.
