On 15 May, troops loyal to Burundi’s president Pierre Nkurunziza re-established control over the capital, Bujumbura, and arrested three pro-coup generals and the coup’s spokesman.
Former intelligence chief Major-General Godefroid Niyombare, who led the coup on 13 May, informed the media by telephone that their attempt had failed and that he wished to surrender, but he subsequently avoided detention and remains at large.
Burundian civil society leaders have attempted to distance themselves from the coup plotters but called for fresh protests against Nkurunziza’s “unconstitutional” bid for a third term.
Renewed protests are unlikely to receive the same protection by the military that they enjoyed before the coup, as generals who remained loyal to the president are now firmly in command. Disgruntled pro-coup troops may join the protesters.