Coup Underway In The African State Of Burundi

BBC: Burundi general declares coup against President Nkurunziza

A Burundi army general says President Pierre Nkurunziza has been "overthrown", amid unrest over his bid to be re-elected for a third term.

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".

WNU Editor: The Burundi President is still in Tanzania .... Burundi President Nkurunziza still in Dar es Salaam: Tanzania (AFP), and he is saying that the coup has failed .... Burundi in chaos as president says attempted coup "failed" (Xinhua). But with celebrations being the norm on the street, and with the security forces taking over the critical parts of the government .... in my opinion it looks like this coup has succeeded.

More News On Today's Coup In Burundi

Burundi army officer says he has deposed president as crowds celebrate -- Reuters
Police vanish from Burundi capital; coup attempt celebrated -- AP
Burundi roiled by apparent coup d'etat -- CBS/AP
Top Burundi general launches coup attempt against president -- AFP
Burundi Ex-Intelligence Chief Announces Coup After Protests -- Bloomberg
Burundi Army General Says President Has Been Ousted -- WSJ
Burundi army officer says he has dismissed country's president -- The Guardian
Amid fears of ethnic violence, coup attempt reported in Burundi -- CNN
Army general attempts coup against Burundi’s president -- Euronews
Burundi tense amid reports of coup -- Al Jazeera
Top Burundi General Launches Coup Attempt -- SKY News
Burundi troops behind coup bid try to enter state broadcaster: employee -- Reuters
Amid coup rumors, shutdown of radio airwaves stokes fear in Burundi -- CSM
Roots of coup attempt against Burundi president -- AFP
How we may know there’s a coup in Burundi: WhatsApp is working -- Quartz
Too early to call a Burundi coup, South Africa says -- Reuters
Burundi general who launched a coup -- AFP