BURUNDI: Major General and former intelligence officer Godefroid Niyombare on 14th of May staged a military coup against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Reports indicate that 10 soldiers were killed during a military operation conducted by forces loyal to Burundi President to reverse the coup and neutralize threats in the country.
A decision to close Burundi’s borders and airports under military orders in order to neutralize the situation equally saved the country from a re-occurrence of the 1994 genocide.
Situation on the Ground
Burundi’s population which comprises of Burundians and foreigners have been accommodating each other until a section of the military attempted to oust the president.
OSNIT reports show that most Kenyans living in Burundi are however safe and thus there was no emergency to evacuate Kenyans who are making a living in Burundi.
Unlike previous conflicts experience in Burundi, this conflict is not ethic-based. The government has accommodated both Hutus and Tutsis and the same ethnic groups are equally represented in the opposition unlike in previous conflicts.
What next after coup attempt
East African Leaders have intervened in the conflict bring back peace in Burundi. The country is expected to hold its elections in June, which could however delay or fail to take place.
President Pierre Nkurunziza was elected by parliament for his 2005-2010 term, a decision which a section of the population did not agree with.
There could be sanctions placed on the country in case the political dispute is not fast resolved.
However, Burundi’s case could not be as critical as it may seem. The military’s ability to reverse the coup is a clear indication of democracy and support for the current president.
Kenya has also experienced an attempted coup by Kenyan Air Force personnel to overthrow the then President Daniel arap Moi government in 1982, and it failed.
