MOSCOW, May 14 (Sputnik) — President Pierre Nkurunziza said Thursday that the situation in Burundi's capital is under control, contradicting statements by coup leaders who claim to have seized most of Bujumbura.
"I ask all Burundians to remain calm… The situation is under control and constitutional order is being safeguarded," Nkurunziza tweeted.
Je demande à tous les burundais de garder le calme face à l'imposture. La situation est sous contrôle et l'ordre constitutionnel sauvegardé.
— Pierre Nkurunziza (@PierreNkurunziz) May 14, 2015
On Wednesday, while Nkurunziza was in Tanzania for a regional summit, Burundi Army Maj. Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, who was fired as the top intelligence official last February, said he dismissed the country's government and established a national concord committee to govern the African nation.
Subsequent developments proved this statement wrong with media and local residents reporting continuing violent clashes.
During the night, protesters set fire to several office buildings and two private radio stations.
Kenyan Nation radio said Thursday that heavy fighting was continuing in Bujumbura close to the national radio and TV headquarters.
Maj. Gen. Niyombare's spokesman Ndabaneze said that the protesters now control "virtually the entire city."
According to Tanzanian media, he currently remains in a "safe place" in Dar-es-Salaam.
Violent protests in Burundi erupted in April over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office. Nkurunziza became president of Burundi in 2005 after a 12-year civil war, and was elected for a second term in 2010.
Although Burundi's Constitution limits presidents to two terms in office, Nkurunziza's supporters believe he has a right to stand for a third term, as 10 years ago he was appointed president by Parliament rather than in a nationwide vote.
