Coup protest as Burundi police stay away

Police vanished from the streets of Burundi’s capital as thousands of people celebrated a coup attempt against president Pierre Nkurunziza, who was in a neighbouring country for a conference.

During almost three weeks of unrest in which 15 people were killed, the military has been acting as buffer between police and protesters who oppose Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, saying it violates the constitution and Arusha peace accords that ended a civil war here.

An army general said on a private radio station that Nkurunziza’s mandate is over. However, whether the general had the support of the military was unclear.