Burundian private radio stations attacked after coup attempt

Several Burundian private radio stations were attacked on Thursday by unidentified people following a military coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza on Wednesday afternoon.

Radio Isanganiro, a private station reporting that private radio stations, including Bonesha FM, Renaissance Radio and Television and the African Public Radio came under attack.

Xinhua news agency cited Radio Isanganiro as reporting that "unidentified people fired grenades" in the compounds of those radio stations.

The manager of Renaissance Radio and Television, Innocent Muhozi, confirmed that his station was attacked. "Attackers blasted grenades inside the compound of our station and damaged a lot of equipment," he said.

The country has eight privately-owned radio stations, and radio is regarded as the most important medium of public information in Burundi.

Burundi National Radio and Television (RTNB), meanwhile, was under the control of forces loyal to Nkurunziza. Gunshots were heard on Thursday around RTNB, where security has been reinforced.

On Wednesday afternoon, Maj. Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, former head of Burundi's National Intelligence, announced that he had overthrown Nkurunziza, his government and the parliament.

Later in the evening, however, Burundian Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Prime Niyongabo said, "A group of insurgents has attempted a coup," stressing that the situation was under "control."

The coup attempt occurred while Nkurunziza had gone to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to attend a special summit on Burundi's situation, attended by heads of state of the East African Community, which comprises Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The coup attempt followed 15 days of protests against a third-term bid of Nkurunziza. At least 20 people were killed during the protests, which mainly took place in various neighbourhoods in capital Bujumbura.

Protesters said Nkurunziza's third-term bid was a violation of the 2000 Arusha Agreement and the Burundian constitution.

Burundi would hold general elections this year. The legislative and communal elections are to be held on May 26 and the presidential election is due on June 26.