Over 200 soldiers dismissed, 100 others on trial over coup attempt

More than 200 Burundi soldiers have been dismissed for attempting to destabilise the government of Burundi on the night of 22-23 July 2001, Burundi radio quoted army spokesman Colonel Augustin Nzabampema as saying on Tuesday. He said the measure was part of a series of administrative, disciplinary and judicial measures being taken by the government in dealing with the attempted coup. He explained that the administrative measures were a way of rewarding the soldiers who were informed about the destabilisation attempt and who immediately distanced themselves and informed the commanders. Nzabampema said there were some disciplinary measures, of some degree of gravity, for soldiers who were informed about the destabilisation attempt but who distanced themselves immediately they realised the attempt was doomed but did not inform the commanders. “There are more severe disciplinary measures which have been taken against soldiers who were informed about the destabilisation attempt and went along with it,” he said. “In this category, there are two sub-categories. That of those who went along but were content with simply going along. These have been dismissed from the armed forces. They number well over 200 soldiers,” he explained. He said that another category of soldiers who did not only go along but were also involved in more serious acts like participating in meetings to plan the destabilisation attempt. “Some were involved in the shooting as two soldiers were killed and an officer wounded. Another officer was shot at but was fortunately unharmed. These soldiers have already been imprisoned and others are being interrogated,” he said. “What I would like to say is that apart from the announced measures, the defence minister will have the opportunity to clarify further and give more explanations on the full extent of the destabilisation attempt in terms of its consequences, essentially,” Nzabampema added. He said the number of soldiers facing trial were as high as 100, adding that there was a confirmed link between the 18 April abortive coup and the 22-23 July one, since there were soldiers implicated in both incidents.