“Burundi president is ousted”

An army general said on a private radio station in Burundi that President Pierre Nkurunziza’s mandate is over, however whether he had the support of the military was unclear as gunfire echoed in the streets.

Nkurunziza was believed to be in the neighboring country of Tanzania for a conference to end the unrest.

Protesters were in the streets again, protesting the president’s bid for a third term. In some neighborhoods, they battled past police in an effort to reach the downtown area. One policeman was seen opening fire on protesters.

Army troops surrounded state radio. Whom they were loyal too was not immediately clear.

Maj general Godefroid Niyombare read a statement on Bonesha FM radio, saying the president had violated the Constitution and the Arusha peace accords by seeking a third term in June elections.

“Given the necessity to preserve the country’s integrity … The president Pierre Nkunrunzia is dismissed from his functions,” Niyombare said.

He announced the creation of a temporary ruling committee to re-establish stability of which he is the president.

Thousands of people were in the streets of Bujumbura in one of the largest turnouts in protests over Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term. Protesters say Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term is illegal.