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Burundi army spokesman denies division in army

Xinhua, May 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundian army spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza has defied what he called rumors that there are divisions within the east African country's military.

"There is no tension within the (Burundian) army and there are no divisions within the army. We are united. What people heard are rumors," Baratuza said Tuesday evening in a declaration.

Baratuza also denied reports according to which Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, new defense minister appointed Monday, was refused access to his office.

"No one blocked the new defense minister to his office. I don't know where the propagator of that rumor got it from," said Baratuza.

Circulated on Tuesday afternoon in Bujumbura city center, the propagated information said that the army was divided over the dismissal of Defense Minister Major General Pontien Gaciyubwenge.

Gaciyubwenge was replaced by Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, a civilian.

For more than four decades, no civilian has been Burundi's defense minister.

Gaciyubwenge was sacked in the aftermath of a failed coup plot staged on May 13. Endi