Coup Against President Nkurunziza By General

Major General Godefroid Niyombareh said a salvation committee had been set up, but his level of support is unclear.Thousands protesting against the president in the capital, Bujumbura, are now reported to be celebrating.

President Nkurunziza is currently in Tanzania. The presidency's Twitter site said the coup attempt had failed.Mr Nkurunziza has been meeting other East African leaders to discuss the crisis. His aide dismissed the coup claims as "a joke"."The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza's third-term mandate... President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties. The government is overthrown."

Gen Niyombareh's "national salvation committee" comprises at least five other army and police generals.He said in the radio broadcast that the mission of the body was the "restoration of national unity... and the resumption of the electoral process in a peaceful and fair environment".
The unrest began on 26 April and has led to the deaths of more than 20 people.

Tens of thousands of Burundians have fled to neighboring states in recent weeks.
President Nkurunziza has rejected calls to postpone next month's election.
The 51-year-old former rebel leader argues that he is entitled to run for a third term because he was first appointed to the role by parliament in 2005.

The constitution states a president should govern only for two terms, but earlier this month a court upheld Mr Nkurunziza's interpretation.Soldiers loyal to the president have been shooting to protect the offices of the state broadcaster. There are some reports that forces supporting the coup are now trying to enter the building and are meeting resistance.