In the early hours of Wednesday, a senior army officer announced that he has dismissed Burundi’s embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza for seeking a third term against the warnings of the local and international community.
Major General Godefroid Niyombare, a former ally of the president, proclaimed in a radio broadcast that “President Nkurunziza is dismissed, his government is dismissed too.” Nkurunziza, who was at that time in crisis talks in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, dismissed his dismissal as a “joke.”
While uncertainty still hovers over who’s currently in charge of Burundi, several people have taken to the streets and social media to applaud the actions of the Major General. However, supporters of the president have also hit back at the coup, describing it as failed and ineffectual.
Here are some reactions we gathered from the micro-blogging site, Twitter, on the attempted coup.
#Burundi coup: General Godefroy Niyonbare announces coup on national radio http://t.co/u6YhRWrR0o
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 13, 2015
Thousands head to city centre with army after Gen Niyombare announces coup #burundi pic.twitter.com/uqWvoNF2i9
— Maud Jullien (@MaudJullien) May 13, 2015
Burundi coup “failed”, presidency claims on Twitter http://t.co/navTh2RjyT
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) May 13, 2015
A soldier and a civilian embrace after general announces coup in #Burundi. Photo: @desirenim pic.twitter.com/wUpdc6nt8j
— IRIN News (@irinnews) May 13, 2015
Communiqué de Presse : Coup d’Etat fantaisiste: C’est avec regret que nous avons appris qu’un groupe de… http://t.co/CI4YRxKz92
— Pierre Nkurunziza (@PierreNkurunziz) May 13, 2015
I sincerely hope that the will be no bloodshed in #Burundi. The Burundians have suffered so much in the past. They need & deserve peace.
— Paul Seger (@spuchatun) May 13, 2015
At least 3 dead on the streets of kabondo. heavy gunfire as protestors escorted by army head to centre #burundi pic.twitter.com/VO8LMzixt2
— Maud Jullien (@MaudJullien) May 13, 2015
Very important point. Especially in #Burundi, where military coups have not turned out nicely. https://t.co/ysXcV2wZ1j
— Cara E. Jones (@ProfCaraJones) May 13, 2015
Just spoke to @Chloetilley on @BBC_WHYS about the developing situation in #Burundi. Full-scale civil war? I said hopefully not.
— Pádraic (@kudupadraic) May 14, 2015
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
Just spoke to @Chloetilley on @BBC_WHYS about the developing situation in #Burundi. Full-scale civil war? I said hopefully not.
— Pádraic (@kudupadraic) May 14, 2015
1st @PierreNkurunziz bans Social Media use. Then in crisis, runs to it to communicate. FOH.
— ./Andimi (@Mobkay) May 14, 2015
By Tobi Eyinade
