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UN Security Council condemns coup attempt in Burundi

Xinhua, May 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday slammed unrest in Burundi and "those who seek to seize power by unlawful means," after an attempted coup broke out in the African country.

The council "condemned both those who facilitate violence of any kind against civilians and those who seek to seize power by unlawful means," said Lithuanian permanent representative to the UN Raimonda Murmokaite, who was presiding over a meeting of the council over the situation in Burundi held Thursday. Lithuania is serving the rotating presidency of the council for the month of May.

The 15-member UN body called for "the swift return of the rule of law, and the holding of credible elections" after the closed- door consultation meeting. The UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Said Djinnit briefed the council on the situation of Burundi via video teleconference, saying it remained unclear whether the coup attempt would succeed or not, according to Murmokaite.

Violent protests erupted after Burundi's ruling party nominated incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza in April as its candidate to run for the presidential election scheduled for June 26. Nkurunziza is on his second term as president. His opponents maintain that his candidacy for a third term would be a violation of the country's 2005 constitution.

Burundi plunged into chaos Wednesday as former head of Burundi' s National Intelligence Major General Godefroid Niyombare announced in a radio station that the army had overthrown the president and stakeholders were working on a transitional government.

At the time of the coup attempt, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza was on the way to Tanzania to attend the East African Community extraordinary summit to discuss the political stand-off in his country.

Nkurunziza's whereabouts are still unknown. Reports from Burundi said there was heavy gunfire and that shelling was underway in the Burundi capital of Bujumbura between the opposition troops and soldiers loyal to President Nkurunziza. Endite