This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
BURUNDI president Pierre Nkurunziza fired his defence minister and two other cabinet ministers yesterday after last week’s failed military coup.
His spokesman Gervais Abayeho said Mr Nkurunziza fired Defence Minister Pontien Gaciyubenge, International Affairs Minister Laurent Kavakure and Trade Minister Marie Nizigiyimana.
The coup’s alleged leader General Godefroid Niyombare is on the run.
Troops patrolling the streets of the capital Bujumbura yesterday were confronted by hundreds of anti-government protesters in three neighbourhoods.
They erected barricades of burning tyres and taunted troops, shouting: “Shoot us.” Shots were fired but no injuries were reported.
Rioter Alfred Nsengumukiza told Western media: “The military is shooting at us, you have seen for yourselves.
“They came here pushing and shoving us and also doing the same to journalists, then they shot.”
More than 105,000 Burundians have fled the country since violent protests against Mr Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term of office began on April 26.
