• published: 14 May 2015
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Rival groups of soldiers are fighting each other in Burundi's capital amid confusion over the success of an attempted coup against the president. Gunfire and explosions were heard near state radio and television overnight. President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is reported to be in Tanzania, has appealed for calm and said the coup has been foiled. But the coup leaders insist they remain in charge. The unrest began when Mr Nkurunziza announced he was seeking a third term. Opponents say the bid contravenes the constitution. Mr Nkurunziza came to power in 2005. The coup was announced by Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief and ally of the president, after Mr Nkurunziza left for regional talks in Tanzania on Wednesday. "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," he said in a radio broadcast. Thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the announcement, marching on the centre of the capital, Bujumbura, alongside soldiers and two tanks. One protester told the BBC this was a victory after weeks of protests. Overnight, army chief of staff Gen Prime Niyongabo - a supporter of the president - announced the coup "has been stopped" after talks with the defence minister, who backs the overthrow. And President Nkurunziza tweeted that the situation was under control and "constitutional order has been safeguarded". But this was contradicted by the coup leaders, one of whom said they were in control of "virtually the entire city" of Bujumbura. "The soldiers who are being deployed are on our side," coup spokesman Venon Ndabaneze also told the AFP news agency. Within the army itself, factions loyal to each side reportedly began fighting each other for control of the national television and radio station overnight. Loud blasts and heavy gunfire rang out. Wednesday's events unfolded after President Nkurunziza flew to the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam for a meeting with other East African leaders to discuss the crisis. Officials there told the BBC that he had flown back to Burundi upon learning of the coup. But the airport and borders were ordered to be closed by Gen Niyombare, and so Mr Nkurunziza had to return to Dar es Salaam. A senior Tanzanian presidential security official told the AFP that he is in a secret location in Dar es Salaam. His fellow leaders at the summit in Tanzania condemned the coup. The UN and US has urged all sides to show restraint. 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 neighbouring states in recent weeks. President Nkurunziza has rejected calls to postpone next month's election. However, the summit in Tanzania urged him to do so. 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, rather than being elected. The constitution states a president can only be elected to two terms in office, but earlier this month the country's constitutional court upheld Mr Nkurunziza's interpretation.