A deputy coup leader said on Thursday that their attempt against Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza had failed, the Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported.

A deputy coup leader said on Thursday that their attempt against Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza had failed, the Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

"Personally, I recognize that our movement has failed. We were faced with an overpowering military determination to support the system in power," Gen. Cyrille Ndayirukiye said.

On Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, a former head of Burundi's National Intelligence, announced that he had overthrown Nkurunziza, his government and the parliament.

The coup attempt took place when the president had gone to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to attend an extraordinary summit of the East African Community on Burundi's political stand-off.

Nkurunziza, who returned to his country on Thursday, called on soldiers who are still behind the coup plotters to "surrender."

"I thank security and defense forces who didn't join coup plotters," he told Burundi National Radio in a phone interview.

The coup attempt followed a 15-day protest against a third term bid by Nkurunziza, during which at least 20 people were killed.

Burundi is to hold general elections in May and June this year.

Related

• Burundian president returns after attempted coup
• AU reiterates need for dialogue in Burundi, condemns coup attempt

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