Africa round-up: Wednesday 13 May 2015
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- Burundi generals launch coup bid
- Presidency says it remains in control
- Thousands celebrate reports of coup in Bujumbura
- Pro-coup soldiers advance on city centre, police flee
- Regional leaders condemn coup attempt
Live Reporting
By Hugo Williams and Farouk Chothia
All times stated are UK
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We will be back tomorrow
That's it from us today. Listen to the Africa Today podcast and keep up-to-date with developments in Burundi and across the continent on the BBC News website.
We leave you with this photo of police on duty in Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam as regional leaders met to discuss the deepening crisis in Burundi:
Airport 'lights off'
Radio France International's Sonia Rolley in Burundi's capital Bujumbura tweets that the lights are off at the airport where the president's plane is due to land, and that demonstrators have left the road to the airport at the request of soldiers.
Nkurunziza off to Uganda?
The BBC team in Burundi says that the privately owned Radio Bonesha is reporting that President Pierre Nkurunziza is headed to Uganda because he cannot land in Burundi.
There is no independent confirmation of the report.
Mr Nkurunziza was in Tanzania earlier today for talks with regional leaders, when army general Godefroid Niyombare announced that he had been overthrown.
Guide to Burundi
A coup bid has been launched against Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza. A general who had been sacked as intelligence chief declared that the president had been ousted amid protests against his bid for a third term in June's elections. The presidency says the coup attempt has failed.
BBC News has this guide to Burundi's recent past - in under 50 seconds.
Burundi 'very fluid'
The situation in Burundi is "very fluid", UN chief Ban Ki-moon's spokesman has said.
Mr Ban is closely following developments in the country, Stephane Dujarric added.
A Burundian army general has said Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has been overthrown. The government denies this.
UN Burundi appeal
UN chief Ban Ki-moon calls on all parties in Burundi to show calm and restraint, his spokesman says.
Earlier an army general said that President Pierre Nkurunziza had been overthrown. The government says the president is still in charge.
Loyalists 'control ' Burundi presidency
Troops loyal to Burundi's leader Pierre Nkurunziza are still in control of the presidential palace, state broadcaster and other key institutions, the AFP news agency reports.
Earlier, army general Godefroid Niyombare announced on private radio that he had overthrown Mr Nkurunziza.
Burundi celebrations
Photos are coming in from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, of people celebrating following the declaration of a coup by army general Godefroid Niyombare:
Celebrations are going on despite the fact that the government says the coup has failed:
Burundi reaction
Auguste, a young entrepreneur in Burundi's capital Bujumbura, has told BBC World Have Your Say that he was happy when he heard about the attempted coup:
"What went through my mind today? That finally I was free. Burundians have reclaimed their dignity. We are not slaves.
"Nkurunziza had to go. We were tired of his leadership."
Nkurunziza 'to speak'
Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza will address the nation when he returns from Tanzania, his spokesman Willy Nyamitwe has told the BBC.
Coup-plotter Gen Godefroid Niyombare has launched a bid to prevent Mr Nkurunziza from returning.
"I order the closure of the airport and border and I ask every citizen and law enforcement down to the airport to protect it," he said in a radio broadcast in Burundi, the AFP news agency reports.
Nkurunziza 'flies back'
Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza is flying back home, Tanzania's government spokesman Salva Rweyemamu has confirmed to the AFP news agency.
"He has left because of the situation prevailing in Burundi," Mr Rweyemamu added.
'Secure the airport'
Burundi's coup bid leader Gen Godefroid Niyombare has ordered troops loyal to him to secure the airport in the capital, Bujumbura, tweets RFI reporter Daniel Finnan.
Burundi soldiers 'celebrate'
Here's a photo from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, of soldiers celebrating a coup declaration:
'Respect law' in Burundi
@MEsipisu
Kenya's presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu has tweeted that regional leaders want to ensure that "respect for the rule of law endures" in Burundi after an army general announced that President Pierre Nkurunziza had been overthrown.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and other East African leaders were in Tanzania to discuss the Burundian crisis, when the coup declaration was made in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura.
Mr Nkurunziza was also at the talks.
BreakingBreaking News
Anne Soy
BBC Africa, Dar es Salaam
The East African Community "condemns the coup in Burundi" and calls for a return to constitutional order, says EAC chairman and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, addressing media at State House in Dar es Salaam.
Burundi presidency statement
A new statement has been posted on the Facebook page of the Burundian presidency, posted at 14:20 GMT (translated from French):
"It is with regret that we have learned that a group of soldiers rebelled this morning and made a fake declaration about a coup. The Presidency of the Republic wants the public opinion both in Burundi and abroad to know that this coup attempt has been stopped and that the people who read that statement on private local radio are being sought by the defence and security forces so that they are brought to justice. The Presidency of the Republic is asking the people of Burundi as well as foreigners to keep calm. Everything is being done to maintain security across the national territory."
Burundi coup bid leader
Here is what we know about Gen Godefroid Niyombare, the 46-year-old coup bid leader, who was once an ally of Burundi's President Pierre Nkrunziza:
Tanks on the streets
The BBC's Maxime Le Hegarat has sent photos from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, of a group of soldiers in tanks driving towards the city centre, flanked by large crowds of demonstrators.
He says that police have been fleeing as the crowds advance.
Jailbreak in Burundi
Ruth Nesoba
BBC Africa, Bujumbura
Protesters who had been detained in recent demonstrations have been freed from the national prison in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, after people broke into the jail, according to a BBC colleague at the scene.
Those involved also set fire to the jail.
Loyalist forces 'in charge'
Burundi's presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe has told the BBC that forces loyal to President Pierre Nkurunziza are are still in control.
General Godefroid Niyombare and his allies were being sought by the security forces, he said. The office of president ordered all Burundians and foreigners to keep calm, he said.
More than 95% of country is normal and quiet, Mr Nyamitwe added.
"I'm not worried about my own safety because the loyalist forces are in full control. "
He said that he believes President Nkurunziza is on his way home from Tanzania.
Army talks
Maud Jullien
BBC Africa, Bujumbura
Soldiers loyal to Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza and soldiers supporting the attempted coup by an army general are now negotiating.
Burundi radio back on air
A popular radio station in Burundi is back on air, delivering a message from the army general who launched a coup attempt, the AFP news agency reports.
African Public Radio had been shut down by the government after protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's re-election bid began last month.
EU refugee quota
The European Commission has unveiled a new blueprint for dealing with the EU's migration crisis, including a controversial plan for national quotas.
Burundi 'thumbs up'
Karen Allen
BBC News, Nairobi
I have just spoken to an eyewitness in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, who told me that thousands are moving to Independence Square. Police are watching on the sidelines and some soldiers are giving the thumbs up sign to protesters, he said.
In some quarters on the edges of Bujumbura some protesters have been held up at checkpoints and are being prevented from moving into the city by security forces, according to the eyewitness.
More Burundi photos
Here are photos from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, as people celebrate a coup declaration:
Burundi police 'disappear'
Police have vanished from the streets of Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, the Associated Press news agency reports.
It says that thousands of people are celebrating a coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is in neighbouring Tanzania.
'Situation under control'
@BdiPresidence
Burundi's presidency has tweeted (in French) that the "situation is under control" and there is "no coup".
Earlier, army general Godefroid Niyombareh said President Pierre Nkurunziza has been overthrown.
Mr Nkurunziza is in Tanzania for talks with regional leaders.
Photos from Burundi
Here are photos of protesters in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, on the day an army general announced a coup:
Protesters were on the streets while President Pierre Nkurunziza was in Tanzania for talks with regional leaders:
Burundi coup de theatre?
@Melaniegouby
Amid claims by an army general that Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has been overthrown, journalist Melanie Gouby tweets from the capital Bujumbura: "People seems to think this is over. Will the army and police follow? Is this a coup d'état or just a coup de theatre?"
Burundi 'coup fails'
The AFP news agency is reporting that Burundi's presidency says the coup attempt has failed.
'Coup announcement'
Here's the statement by Burundi's Maj Gen Godefroid Niyombareh, announcing a coup.
"The masses have decided to take into their own hands the destiny of the nation to remedy this unconstitutional environment into which Burundi has been plunged.
"The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza's third term mandate in accordance with the constitution and the Arusha Accord. President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties. The government is overthrown."
Protesters reach radio station
Sonia Rolley, the Radio France International reporter in Burundi, tweets that hundreds of demonstrators have gathered near the national radio station, where they have been blocked by soldiers. Gunshots are still ringing out.
Fatalities in Burundi
Maud Jullien
BBC Africa, Bujumbura
At least three people have been killed on the streets of Kabondo district in Burundi's capital Bujumbura.
It is unclear how they were killed.
There is heavy gunfire as protesters, escorted by the army, head to the city centre following a coup declaration.
Shooting around radio station
Soldiers loyal to the Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza have been firing shots to protect the national radio station, tweets Le Monde Africa bureau chief Jean Philippe Remy from the capital Bujumbura.
'Loyalists' control state radio
Sonia Rolley, the Radio France International reporter in Burundi, tweets that the national radio station RTNB is still under the control of forces loyal to President Nkurunziza.
'Coup' statements broadcast
BBC Monitoring
Two private radio stations in Burundi have broadcast statements by army general Godefroid Niyombareh, saying that President Pierre Nkurunziza's government has been "dissolved".
The general, who was sacked as spy chief in February, accused the president of arrogance and disregarding the international community.
Mr Nkuruniza is currently in Tanzania.
Internet shut in Burundi
The internet has been disabled in Burundi amid a coup declaration by an army general, the BBC's Ruth Nesoba reports from the capital, Bujumbura.
'Army escort' in Burundi
Maud Jullien
BBC Africa, Bujumbura
Thousands of people are marching in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, under military escort.
It comes amid a statement by an army general that senior officers are "dismissing" President Pierre Nkurunziza.
BreakingBreaking News
An army general in Burundi says he no longer recognises President Pierre Nkurunziza as the country's leader.
Godefroid Niyombareh told reporters in the capital, Bujumubura, that a national salvation committee has been set up to run the country.
Fleeing to Somalia
@MOALIMUU
More than 1,000 Somalis who fled conflict in Yemen have arrived at Bossaso port in north-eastern Somalia, the BBC's Mohamed Mualimu tweets.
'No coup' in Burundi
Burundi's presidential spokesman has told the BBC Great Lakes service that rumours of a coup are unfounded and were spread over Twitter.
Security was tightened at the national radio station today in case demonstrators targeted it, Willy Nyamitwe added.
President Pierre Nkurunziza is in Tanzania for talks with regional leaders aimed at ending weeks of protests in Burundi over his decision to run for a third term.
#NairobiFloods
The hashtag #NairobiFloods is trending on twitter in Kenya, as heavy rains continue to cause chaos in the city.
Kenya's Star Newspaper carries the story of a dramatic rescue of 11 schoolchildren, who it says spent 10 hours trapped in their school bus, which was half submerged by the flood waters. Kenya Red Cross says it rescued all the children early this morning.
BreakingBreaking News
Mohamed Moalimu
BBC Africa, Mogadishu
Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab has captured 14 Iranian sailors after their boat was swept ashore in the central Galgadud region, witnesses in the area have told me.
There has been no comment yet from al-Shabab or Somali officials.
Sex for prisoners appeal
BBC Monitoring
The Zambia Medical Association has appealed to the government to allow prisoners to have sex with their spouses, reports the Lusaka Times.
"A criminal justice system ignorant of biology such as ours here in Zambia is a recipe for disaster. It breeds violent men and women who desperately seek unnatural ways of relieving themselves of the built-up tension within their systems," association head Aaron Mujajati is quoted as saying.
Burundi businesses shut
Shops have closed and barricades are burning in the centre of Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, as unrest against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term continues.
About 200 protesters, mainly women, made it to Independence Square, before police opened fire to disperse them.
Uganda’s Tarantino
Could you make an action movie for $200 (£120)? That's what Ugandan filmmaker Isaac Nabwana has been doing for the past decade, with great success.
On his sets, he uses creativity to make up for the lack of a Hollywood-size budget. Guns are fashioned from scrap metal and gunshot wounds are recreated by bursting condoms filled with fake blood. See the full BBC story here. Or check out Who Killed Captain Alex? , dubbed "Uganda's first action movie".
An actor has lunch in full horror make-up.
The replica of Rambo's machine gun, welded from scrap metal.
The studio's kung fu school keeps children off the streets and trains them as future stars.
'Molotov cocktails' in Burundi
@Melaniegouby
Journalist Melanie Gouby tweets from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura: "Grenades thrown, protesters have Molotov cocktails, water canon tank keeps falling back and protesters gaining ground".
Protesters have been demanding that Pierre Nkurunziza step down in elections due in June. He is in Tanzania for talks with regional leaders to discuss the crisis.
Church calls for poll delay
Burundi's influential Catholic Church has called for the postponement of controversial presidential elections scheduled for June.
It said in a statement that it will ask Catholics on the electoral commission to step down if the government refuses to yield to the demand.
Shots fired in Burundi
Police have fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters marching near the president's office in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, reports the BBC's Maud Jullien from there.
The several hundred protesters were about one kilometre from the presidency when police intervened, she says.
This is the closest that protesters have come to the presidency since they took to the streets last month to demand that President Pierre Nkurunziza abandon his plan to run for a third term in elections due in June, our reporter adds.
Mr Nkurunziza is in Tanzania for a summit called by regional leaders to discuss the crisis in Burundi.
Somalia firing squad killings
Mohamed Moalimu
BBC Africa, Mogadishu
Two fighters of Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab have been killed by a firing squad following their conviction for murdering five people, including four MPs. One of the MPs was famous Somali musician Saado Ali Warsame, who was killed in July.
'Send migrants home'
Economic migrants rescued from the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe should be returned home, UK Home Secretary Theresa May has suggested.
Ghana last in school rankings
The biggest ever global school rankings have been published, with Asian countries in the top five places and African countries at the bottom.
Singapore heads the table, followed by Hong Kong, with Ghana at the bottom.
Burundi crisis talks
Anne Soy
BBC Africa, Dar es Salaam
East African heads of state will meet in Tanzania today to discuss the deepening crisis in Burundi.
President Pierre Nkurunziza is expected to attend. He will be under pressure from other leaders to drop his plan to run for a third term in elections scheduled for June.
About 20 people have been killed in protests since Mr Nkurunziza announced on 25 April that he will be contesting the election.
Wise words
Today's African proverb: The camel that likes two herds is eaten by the lion between them. Sent by Nur Aabdi, Mogadishu, Somalia.
Click here to send us your African proverb.
Good morning
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