Burundi: Coup leader on the run, loyalists detain others

The leader of coup attempt in Burundi, General Godefroid Niyombare, has gone on the run after escaping capture by troops loyal to the central African nation's president, a senior police official told AFP Friday.

The leader of coup attempt in Burundi, General Godefroid Niyombare, has gone on the run after escaping capture by troops loyal to the central African nation's president, a senior police official told AFP Friday.

A-protester-who-is-against-President-Pierre-Nkurunziza-s-decision-to-run-for-a-third-term-gestures-in-front-of-a-burning-barricade-in-Bujumbura-Burundi-Reuters

"General Niyombare has evaded us but we know where he is hiding," the official said, adding he was believed to have fled to a southern district of the capital Bujumbura. Niyombare had earlier Friday told AFP by telephone he was surrendering and that loyalist troops were closing in on him.

Meanwhile, loyalist troops early on Friday detained at least three leaders of a failed coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza, with an AFP reporter listening in the arrest via telephone.

The coup leaders' spokesman Venon Ndabaneze, while speaking with AFP, said that putschists had decided to surrender when loyalist troops arrested him, deputy coup leader Cyrille Ndayirukiye and another senior figure among the mutineers.

Read:

Burundi army chief says coup attempt failed, prez calls for calm

Burundi army officer says he has deposed president, crowds cheer