Roundup: Burundian president returns to capital after military foils coup attempt

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza returned to the capital Bujumbura on Friday and is expected to address the nation later after a coup attempt staged by a top general was foiled by the army.

Normalcy gradually returns to the capital after forces loyal to the president defeated mutineers led by Major General Godefroid Niyombare, a former intelligence chief, who announced that he had overthrown Nkurunziza on Wednesday.

"We call on the population in the municipality of Bujumbura to reopen their businesses. The situation is now normal after the defeat of mutineers," said Bujumbura Mayor Saidi Juma.

He also called on owners and drivers of passenger buses and minibuses to resume their business to facilitate the transport of people inside and outside Bujumbura city center, adding that security "has now become better".

"I call on managers of banks, public and private companies to reopen their businesses," said the mayor.

The failed coup attempt was launched while the president had gone to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to attend a summit of East African Community (EAC) heads of state on Burundi's situation.

More than 100,00 people have fled the country since violent protests began in the country last month after the president announced his bid for a third term.

Earlier on Friday, most mutineers surrendered to defense and security forces, according to Burundian Public Security Minister Gabriel Nizigama.

The official said that three army and police generals who are masterminds of the failed coup plot have been arrested, adding the leader Niyombare has not yet been arrested.

By 11:45 local time, President Nkurunziza arrived at Ngozi town in the Burundian northern province of Ngozi from Tanzania where he had remained after the failed coup. A crowd of people had gathered on both sides of the Ngozi-Bujumbura road to welcome him. Endi