Police vanish from streets during Burundi coup

Police have vanished from the streets of Burundi’s capital as thousands of people celebrated a coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza.

During three weeks of unrest, the military has been acting as buffer between police and protesters who oppose Mr 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 radio station that Mr Nkurunziza’s mandate is over. However, whether he had the support of the military was unclear.

President Nkurunziza is believed to be in a neighbouring country for a conference.