Burundi's Nkurunziza Thanks Security Forces for Thwarting Coup

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza on Friday thanked his security forces for stopping a military coup against his government. Nkurunziza made the comments in a radio address after returning to the capital, Bujumbura, in a motorcade that was cheered by thousands of supporters lining the streets. He also warned protesters to stop their demonstrations against his decision to seek a third term. Nkurunziza said that there is now peace in the country and that those who wish for violence will not succeed. A relative calm returned to the capital Friday after two days of violence between rival army factions. However, activists called for more demonstrations against the president.

The United States on Friday said Nkurunziza should not stand for a third term. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Linda Thomas-Greenfield told VOA that the decision had caused instability in the country.

"What we are seeing now is a strong, strong reaction to his decision to pursue a third term, and in the interest of stability in the country, in the interest of moving Burundi forward and not allowing Burundi to go backward, we have encouraged that the president not pursue a third term," she said.

Earlier Friday, authorities in Burundi said they had arrested three people in connection with Wednesday's attempted coup. A presidential spokesman, Willy Nyamitwe, told VOA's Gabe Joselow that the leader of the coup attempt, General Godefroid Niyombare, remained at large and was believed to be in hiding.