Military Coup in Burundi as Army General Overthrows President Pierre

The Burundian army said Wednesday (13 May) that it has taken control of the East African country.

The coup d'etat was announced in a radio broadcast, with senior army generals saying they were deposing embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is travelling to Tanzania to meet leaders of the East Africa Community - made up of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi - to discuss the recent violence that has rocked his country.

"Active Forces of the Nation have decided to take charge of the country," Godefroid Niyombareh, who was fired by Nkurunziza as intelligence chief in February, said in a radio address. "President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office."

Presidential reaction

However, the presidential office dismissed the claims. A tweet from the Burundi presidency said the attempted coup "failed".

"The situation is under control, there is no coup in Burundi," the message read.

A South African foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters "it's way too early to say" whether a coup had taken place in Burundi but added the situation was being closely monitored.

Nevertheless, Niyombareh announced a national salvation committee had been set up to run the country and said he is working with civil society and other groups on forming a transitional government. "All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others," he added.