Burundi president sacks defense minister after failed coup

BUJUMBURA/WASHINGTON

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has sacked his defense minister as part of a major cabinet reshuffle, only a few days after the East African country was rocked by a failed coup attempt.

The presidency said via Twitter that Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye has been named defense minister, replacing Pontien Gacubwenge.

The reshuffle also saw Alain-Aimé Nyamitwe appointed minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, replacing Laurent Kavakure.

Irina Inantore, meanwhile, replaced Marie-Rose Nizigiyimana as minister of commerce, industry and tourism.

The reshuffle comes only a few days after a group of army generals staged a failed coup attempt against Nkurunziza while he was attending a regional summit in Tanzania.

In Washington, the State Department urged Nkurunziza to respect the rights of those charged with involvement in the failed coup and treat them in accordance with Burundian law. Spokesman Jeff Rathke also urged the Burundian military to "conduct itself professionally in dealing with civilians".

"We remain concerned by the volatile situation in Burundi. While the situation is generally calm, there have been some protests. And the potential for violence remains", Rathke told reporters, urging authorities not to equate peaceful protesters with those who participated in the attempted seizure of power. 

Burundi has been rocked by protests since late April, when the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy named Nkurunziza – in power since 2005 – its candidate for June presidential polls.

Dozens have been killed in clashes since a wave of protests broke after Nkurunziza announced plans to seek a third term in office.