Burundi coup: Timeline of events
- Published
A timeline of the events on Wednesday as a coup attempt was launched in Burundi to try to overthrow President Pierre Nkurunziza, amid unrest over his bid to be re-elected to a third term. All times are approximate and in BST (GMT+1)
08:45: Hundreds of protesters reach an area about one km from the presidential palace, the closest to the centre they have got, reports the BBC's Maud Jullien.
09:24:
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A spokesman for Burundi's President, Pierre Nkurunziza, tells the BBC's Great Lakes service that rumours of a coup were unfounded and spread over Twitter.
10:53: An army general in Burundi says he no longer recognises President Pierre Nkurunziza as the country's leader. Godefroid Niyombareh tells reporters in the capital, Bujumubura, that a national salvation committee has been set up to run the country.
12:14: An emphatic denial from Burundi's president - there is no coup in Burundi and the situation is under control.
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12:19: But on the ground the situation is less clear. Thousands begin heading towards the centre of the capital, including soldiers supporting the coup, reports the BBC's Maud Jullien.
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It was a fast-moving and confusing day on Wednesday
12:56: The police that have been cracking down on weeks of protests have "vanished" from the capital, AP reports.
13:11: Gunfire is heard at Burundi's state broadcaster, as troops loyal to the President fire over the heads of protesters.
15:34:
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16:37: The UN makes an urgent appeal for calm and restraint.
1900: Confusion over the whereabouts of the president continues.
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1901: The US is viewing the coup attempt with "concern", White House spokesman Josh Earnest says. "We call on all sides to lay down arms, end the violence and show restraint."
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Major General Godefroid Niyombare addressed the nation shortly after his coup attempt on Wednesday
1905: There is now a dangerous stand-off in Bujumbura, the AFP news agency reports, with pro-Nkurunziza troops still controlling key institutions, including the presidential palace and state broadcaster.
1920: Leaders of the East African countries attending a regional summit in Tanzania strongly condemn the coup and call fro general elections to be postponed. The leaders call on all parties to ensure that the violence stops.
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2115: A senior government official in Tanzania confirms to the BBC's Charlotte Atwood that President Nkurunziza left in a plane for just 10 minutes from Tanzania to Burundi before turning back.