The head of Burundi’s army said on Thursday that an attempted coup had failed and forces loyal to President Pierre Nkurunziza were in control, but heavy gunfire in the capital suggested the battle for power was not yet over.
Army Chief of Staff General Prime Niyongabo’s announcement came a day after another general said he had sacked Nkurunziza for seeking an unconstitutional third term in office, developments that have alarmed neighboring governments.
Heavy fighting flared around the state broadcasting headquarters, forcing state radio to halt transmissions briefly. It resumed after the shooting died down to announce that it was still in the hands of forces loyal to the president.
The state broadcaster is seen as a strategic asset for both sides to reach the population.
It was difficult to determine who was now in control of the capital, with periods of relative calm broken by bouts of gunfire. But presidential loyalists said they controlled vital assets such as the radio, airport and presidential offices.
A Reuters witness saw one dead soldier lying near the Interior Ministry. Nearby troops said he was a coup supporter.
“I condemn that group of coup plotters,” the president said in a radio broadcast shortly before it briefly went off air. “I thank soldiers who are putting things in order, and I forgive any soldier who decides to surrender.”
Nkurunziza, who sparked more than two weeks of protests by saying he would seek another five years in office, was in Tanzania for an African leaders meeting on Wednesday when the attempt to topple him was announced.
There was no official confirmation of his whereabouts, but Tanzanian sources said he was at a secure location in Dar es Salaam. Presidential media adviser Willy Niyamitwe said he could not say where the president was for security reasons.