Burundi arrests 3 generals, putting an end to coup attempt

(Image credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

published 15 May 2015

On Friday, Burundian authorities announced the arrest of one police general and two army generals accused of helping lead a coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza, who returned to the country from Tanzania late Thursday. The coup's leader, Maj. Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, "is still on the run," presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho told Reuters. "His whereabouts are not known to us."

Those arrested include former Defense Minister Cyrille Ndayirukiye. Two police commissioners and about a dozen police officers were also arrested at the house of one of the generals, Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama told the BBC. The failed putsch was sparked by Nkurunziza's aggressive bid for a third term in office, in apparent violation of Burundi's constitution. Right before the attempted coup, BBC News noted that such attempts to retain power "are not unusual in Africa," putting Burundi's struggle in a broader context. You can watch the brief report below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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