Heavy fighting erupts between rival Burundi troops

Fierce fighting between rival Burundian troops has erupted in the capital, Bujumbura, deepening fears that Wednesday’s coup attempt could trigger a bloody and protracted power struggle, the Guardian reported.

Forces loyal to president Pierre Nkurunziza, who is outside the country and has been blocked from returning, were resisting an assault on the state television and radio complex, military sources and witnesses said. Meanwhile, independent broadcasters were hit by rocket and grenade attacks.

Burundi had been a tinderbox since the sudden announcement by general Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief fired three months ago, that Nkurunziza had been ousted after weeks of deadly civil unrest sparked by the president’s bid to stand for a third term.

The attempted coup has caused international alarm. East African leaders attending the summit in Tanzania said in a joint communique: “The region will not accept nor stand by if violence does not stop or escalates in Burundi.”

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairperson of the African Union commission, said: “The chairperson condemns in the strongest terms today’s coup attempt in Bujumbura, calls for the return to constitutional order and urges all stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint.”

The US urged Burundians to “lay down arms, end the violence and show restraint”, while the EU warned it was “essential the situation does not spin out of control”.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon also made an urgent appeal for calm, while the security council said it would hold an emergency meeting on the situation on Thursday.