Nkurunziza is a personal friend of President Uhuru who was critical in the early stages of the then Deputy President’s run for presidency. He hosted Uhuru and a number of cabinet ministers in his official residence at the early stages of TNA formation.
East Africa leaders already rejected the coup. At a hurriedly organized meeting in Tanzania, the EAC leaders roundly condemned the coup.
Gen Godefroid Niyombare announced reasons for overthrowing President Nkurunziza.
“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
Coup bid leader: Gen Godefroid Niyombare, 46
Former rebel CNDD-FDD commander and ally of President Nkurunziza
First ethnic Hutu army chief – a significant step in reconciliation efforts
A negotiator in peace talks with last rebel group FNL
Oversaw Burundi’s deployment to Somalia as part of African force
Served as ambassador to Kenya
Dismissed as intelligence chief in February three months after his appointment
Dismissal came days after he recommended against the third-term bid
Kenya-Today
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