Burundian General Attempts Coup as Region Back Incumbent

Burundi’s former intelligence chief announced he has overthrown President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose plan to seek a third term triggered weeks of protests that left at least 20 people dead.

Major-General Godefroid Niyombare, who was fired by Nkurunziza in February for opposing his re-election bid, declared an end to the 51-year-old leader’s rule in a statement broadcast Wednesday on radio in the capital, Bujumbura. He urged political leaders to “come together and rethink how the country can be governed and how elections can be organized soon.” The presidency said the attempted coup was unsuccessful.