Defence minister blames politicians

Defence Minister Cyrille Ndayirukiye on Monday announced that the situation was normal and the coup had failed. Speaking over Burundi radio, he said loyalist soldiers were in control of the situation. According to the radio, the rebel soldiers - who fled north from Bujumbura - had surrendered to the authorities in the northern province of Ngozi and five officers taken hostage by the renegades had been released. The minister said 60 soldiers - or two platoons - were involved in the coup attempt. “They left their duties which were to provide security in Bujumbura town,” he said. They then tried to disrupt the flow of traffic in the city and attempted to free inmates from Bujumbura’s Mpimba prison, as well as “provoking” their superiors. Ndayirukiye confirmed that the commander of Bujumbura district was wounded, although his life was not in danger. “I believe that what happened resembles what happened on 18 April [date of this year’s previous coup attempt],” the defence minister stated. “At that time, there was a peace process under way in Arusha, just like now. Like last time, it seems some soldiers are involved in the event unwillingly while others seem to be working for others, not for themselves.” He named one of the coup leaders as Lieutenant Kamenyero, saying that he already been arrested. According to Ndayirukiye, there are “many problems” in the army. “Hutus and Tutsis are only after posts and competition without caring about security,” he said. “That is why it is difficult to satisfy all of them and that is why the current war which started a long time ago has reached a very difficult and crucial stage.” He claimed that certain politicians were trying to exploit this situation. “The root cause is not the army but the politicians,” he stated.