EAC threatens to suspend Burundi as rivals battle to control the capital

A serious battle over the control of the national broadcaster has broken out as the East African Community (EAC) threatens to suspend Burundi if the putsch against President Pierre Nkurunzinza is successful.

The Tanzanian minister for EAC affairs Dr Harrison G. Mwakyembe told The EastAfrican that Mr Nkurunzinza, whose plane was prevented from landing in Bujumbura by the rebel forces last night, was still in Dar es Salaam together with the Foreign Affairs minister Laurente Kavakure.

The state-owned RTNB broadcaster, currently under the loyalists forces, is strategic to both factions as it is the only one still broadcasting across the country.

The rivals are battling to control the airwaves, a critical asset in the propaganda wars they have been waging since Wednesday.

The majority of Burundians in the countryside are unaware of what is going on in the country as pro-government forces successfully attacked and took off-air all independent radio stations early Thursday morning. In the wake of the midday shelling, RTNB also went off-air.

One of the president’s most trusted generals, Adolph Nduwimana, a former national intelligence chief, is leading the fight to keep the pro-coup fighters from taking the national broadcaster.

But confusion still reins in Burundi over the success or failure of the coup led by former general Godefroide Niyombare.

Earlier, it seemed as though it was a matter of hours before the capital Bujumbura falls to the rebel forces who have been gaining ground since the putsch was declared on Wednesday.

Heavy fighting and shelling between the rival forces was heard Thursday afternoon in what could turn out to be the most decisive battle yet in a coup that has dragged on for hours without a clear sign of which faction is in charge of the capital.

Sources say that general Godefroide still has more control over the capital and enjoys mass civilian support along with the backing of four military generals, the police chief and a top security official.

Forces loyal to the president, who Tanzanian officials say is in a secret location in Dar es Salaam, control the presidential palace and the national broadcaster.

The coup supporters, led by former general Godefroide Niyombare, control majority of the public institutions including border points and the international airport, a source in Burundi says.

As the rebels appear to be gaining ground, the East African Community is considering suspending Burundi’s membership to the regional bloc if the coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza is successful.

Secretary Richard Sezibera told The EastAfrican in Dar es Salaam that the regional bloc is keenly following events in Burundi and appropriate actions will be taken against the coup plotters.

“It is clear that according to the East African Community treaty we do not recognise coups, we have condemned it and such countries have no place in the community,” he said.

It is still a matter of speculation the level of support the Mr Nkurunziza still enjoys but the General Adolph Nshimirimana, the army chief of staff, is leading the loyalist troops. But his titular boss, the minister of Defense, Potien Gaciyubwenge, has not declared her position in the conflict.

Mr Sezibera said EAC is also considering options to intervene in Burundi and reinstate the democratically elected government.

Last night, President Nkurunzinza plane was rerouted back to Dar es Salaam after the coup leader ordered the airport shut down.

East African Business Council chairman, Felix Mosha said businesses in Burundi are likely to suffer capital flights and drop in imports and export as results of border closure and unrest.