Major General Godefroid Niyombare, who was fired as the top intelligence official last February, said he had established a national concord committee to govern the country, the Guardian said.
Man behind Burundi army coup, Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare- former intelligence chief & previous ambassador to Kenya. pic.twitter.com/hQchusvPO6
— Mac Otani (@MacOtani) 13 мая 2015
The dispute between the former spy chief and the president erupted in late April after Nkurunziza launched a highly-contested reelection campaign.
Protesters in #Bujumbura on the day army general Godefroid #Niyombare announced a coup against #Nkurunziza pic.twitter.com/7sVwLHgoSB
— J.P. Bucyensenge (@JPBucyensenge) 13 мая 2015
"@MaudJullien: Thousands head to city centre with army after Gen Niyombare announces coup #burundi pic.twitter.com/CCDVwtpCTv"
— Serge Kayembe (@kayembe_serge) 13 мая 2015
Nkurunziza has already served two consecutive terms in office, but the constitutional court endorsed the president’s bid saying his first term – for which he was appointed by the parliament, rather than re-elected – did not count, the UK outlet explained.
Gen. Niyombare: Cndd-Fdd rebel 1st Hutu army chief of staff Ambassador to Kenya Intelligence chief Attended prestigious high school #Burundi
— Thierry Uwamahoro (@ThierryU) 13 мая 2015
Nkurunziza is a former leader of the Hutu ethnic majority who came to power after 12 years of violent hostilities. A civil war between Hutus and a rival ethnic group of Tutsis killed an estimated 300,000 people between 1993 and 2005.
The statement made today by General Godefroy Niyombare, the man attempting to depose #Burundi's Pres. Nkurunziza. pic.twitter.com/fNlcBxv2mT
— David Toovey (@DavidTooveyKGL) 13 мая 2015