Justice Minister, 2 Police CP, Others Arrested Over Burundi Coup

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines, News Friday, May 15th, 2015

The ongoing political crisis and confusion in Burundi rage, as the renegade General and former Defence Minister, Gen Cyrille Ndayirukiye, two Police Commissioners and about 12 other Police officers, Friday were arrested in connection with the Wednesday purported “overthrow” of embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza’s administration.

Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama confirmed this, while the President’s Spokesperson, Gervais Abayeho, disclosed that the coup leader, Gen Godefroid Niyombare was still at large.

Abayeho confirmed that if the arrested were found culpable, they would have to face justice, indicating that it was only a small section of the army who rebelled against the incumbent President, while also denied crack the country’s army.

The Security Minister explained that the two Police Commissioners and others were arrested after a brief exchange of fire at one of the generals’ houses where they were hiding.

He also denied reports that the detainees were beaten up during arrest, adding that they were arrested under conditions befitting normal human rights.

President Nkurunziza, according to his image maker, said he has returned to Burundi after being stuck in Tanzania, after talks with other African leaders on the way forward over the crisis in which over 105,000 people have fled the country since it erupted late April.

Nkurunziza who has declared to re-contest for third term (reason for the protest) in the central African country, is expected to make a national broadcast today.

About 20 people have been killed in almost three weeks of the unrest.