Burundi coup bid: President Nkurunziza's return 'thwarted'

  

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza's attempt to return home to tackle a coup has failed and he has returned to Tanzania where he was attending a summit, officials there told the BBC.

Another source said the plane turned back after 10 minutes as it would have been unable to land safely in Burundi.

The coup announced by Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombare had brought thousands on to the streets to celebrate.

But its outcome remains unclear and the presidency insisted it had failed.

What's behind the coup bid?

Some reports in Burundi said the factions of the military still loyal to the president were in negotiations with those backing the coup to determine the next step.

One source told AFP news agency: "Both sides are committed to finding a compromise before dawn and announcing it to the population to avoid confusion and prevent things from escalating tomorrow."

palace and main radio offices.

The capital, Bujumbura, was said to be quiet on Wednesday night.
Earlier Gen Niyombare had ordered the closure of the airport to prevent Mr Nkurunziza's plane from landing.

The UN and US urged all sides to show restraint.

In his earlier announcement of the coup, Gen Niyombare said he did not recognise the leadership because the president's bid for a third term violated the constitution.

Gen Niyombare said in a radio broadcast: "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."

Analysis: BBC Africa's Venuste Nshimiyimana

The peace accord that brought an end to Burundi's brutal 12-year ethnic civil war ensured that the future army would be split 50-50 between minority Tutsis and majority Hutus. This means that unlike the police, whose officers have been forceful in putting down the anti-third term protests, the army is regarded as a neutral force.

Nevertheless within the military there are internal divisions - with former Hutu rebels regarded as loyal to the ruling party and those in the old Tutsi-dominated army seen as loyal to the opposition.

The surprise about this coup declaration is that it comes from Gen Niyombare, once a close ally of the president. However, it is unclear whether the general, fired as intelligence chief in February, can command the loyalty of all soldiers.

A few hours later the Burundi presidency dismissed the coup attempt, saying: "It is with regret that we have learned that a group from the armed forces mutinied this morning and declared an imaginary coup.

"This coup attempt has been foiled and that these people, who read the coup announcement on the radio, are being hunted by defence and security forces so that they can be brought to justice."

Police clash with anti-president protesters in Bujumbura

Protesters are angry at the attempt by the president to gain a third term

Mr Nkurunziza has ruled out delaying next month's elections

Mr Nkurunziza had been in Dar es Salaam to discuss the crisis with regional leaders.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said the summit had condemned the coup, adding: "The region will not accept, nor will the region stand by, if violence does not stop or escalates in Burundi."

Weeks of protests

The BBC's Maud Jullien in Bujumbura says thousands of protesters had marched to the centre of Bujumbura alongside soldiers and two tanks after the coup was announced on Wednesday.

One protester told the BBC this was a victory after weeks of protests.

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.

The constitution states a president should govern only for two terms, but earlier this month a court upheld Mr Nkurunziza's interpretation.

Gen Niyombare delivers his radio address to the nation

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