Burundi President Makes First Appearance Since Failed Coup Bid

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza on Sunday made his first official appearance since an attempted coup, appearing relaxed and assertive of his full control of the central African nation.

Dressed in a blue blazer and polo shirt, the president smiled and shook hands with reporters at the presidency in Bujumbura's city centre, and gave only a brief statement without even mentioning this week’s attempt to overthrow him.

Nkurunziza has been facing weeks of violent and deadly street protests over his controversial bid to stand for a third consecutive term on office, and on Wednesday top generals announced they were overthrowing him while he was on a visit to neighbouring Tanzania.

But on Friday, having failed to capture the state broadcaster after fierce fighting with loyalist troops, the coup leaders admitted defeat and were detained or have gone on the run, allowing Nkurunziza’s motorcade to roll back into the city.

Nkurunziza spoke only about reported threats from Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants, who have warned of attacks against Burundi and other states that contribute troops to the African Union force in Somalia.

“We have taken measures against Al-Shebab. We take this threat seriously,” the president said.

Bujumbura was calm on Sunday, although civil society and opposition activists have vowed to resume street protests on Monday. Weeks of protests have already left at least 20 people dead, many of them shot by police dispersing the demonstrations.

"There is a truce so we can bury our dead", said Pacifique Nininahazwe, one of the leaders of the campaign to stop the president from standing for a third term. 

"The protests will start again on Monday morning."

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