Was there a coup plot in Burundi to topple President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s regime?

NAIROBI, Kenya - There was political tension witnessed last week Friday when senior leaders were suspected of planning a coup to overthrow President Evariste Ndayishimiye.

While addressing government officials in the capital Gitega, President Ndayishimiye warned of some individuals whom he did not name threatening to overthrow his government, just after two years in office.

President Ndayishimiye “Do you think an army general can be threatened by saying they will make a coup d’état? Who is that? Whoever it is should come and in the name of God I will defeat him.”

He expressed his frustration in the country’s political capital after video clips circulated on social media showing the country’s Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni lamenting about individuals who are backstabbing him.

The video clips raised concerns of a possible feud between the Prime Minister and the President due to a power struggle even though the two have often appeared in public and at the council of ministers’ meetings together.

“I want to tell those who think they are powerful to be humble…there is one I saw…in Burundi, there will never be any coup d’état again and God is the witness…those who wish bad things for Burundi, they should prepare for defeat,” the Burundian leader and army general warned.

A Political professor from the University of Bujumbura who spoke to regional newspaper The EastAfrican on anonymity revealed that there are tensions between the PM and the President may be because of the policy changes under Gen Ndayishimiye.

“There is a struggle inside the system as the president is changing a lot of things like fighting corruption and impunity. Many within are feeling the pinch,” he said on condition of anonymity so he can discuss the topic without fear of reprisals.

President Ndayishimiye, who took over power in June 2020, promised to restore the rule of law, and accountability and fight against impunity.

This has resulted in dozens of high-profile government officials being relieved from their duties for failure to deliver. This push has seen him regularise ties with the West as financial sanctions imposed by the European Union were lifted in February this year.

Since its independence in 1962, the country has gone through political turmoil, with three coups, and two presidential assassinations.

The recent power struggle dates back to 2015 when protests against former president Pierre Nkurunziza led to the deaths of more than 1,000 people.

There was a coup attempt to overthrow Nkurunziza’s government as he attended a summit of the East African Community in Dar es Salaam. The culprits are still serving jail terms.

“A coup d’état at this moment is more difficult but what we need to understand is that there is a crack within the system, and who knows what comes tomorrow? The president is facing a big challenge now,” the professor argued.

GAROWE ONLINE