Burundi: President Nkurunziza links anti-third term protesters and failed coup in nation address

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has arrived at the Presidencial Palace, according to his adviser, and is expected to address the nation on the ongoing unrest on Friday 15 May, two days after an attempted coup d'etat led by factions of the army.

Protests in the country have been ongoing since Nkurunziza announced he will seek a third term in elections due to take place in June.

Protesters accused the president of violating the constitution and the Arusha Peace Agreement, which says the president can only stay in power for two terms.

Nkurunziza's supporters argue the president's first term should not be counted, as he was chosen by the Parliament and not by the people in an election as is specified in the agreement.

The president, whose whereabouts were unknown since an attempted coup d'etat by army generals on Wednesday 13 May, left his home province of Ngozi on Friday morning and returned to Bujumbura in a white jeep.

Nkurunziza: 'A memorable day'

Some elements of his speech were posted on the presidency's website in Kirundi, the national language.

In his address, which is expected to be held from the Presidential Palace, Nkurunziza will thank the security and defence forces for their "efficiency" to "stop" the coup.

He will say: "On the occasion of this memorable day, we want to thank from our heart members of defence and security forces for their efficiency and speed they have demonstrated in stopping the macabre plan to destroy the democratically elected institutions."

'Anti-third term protesters and failed coup are linked'

In his address, the president is also expected to draw a link between anti-third term protesters and the failed coup.

"It is obvious that the current upheavals are related to the group that wanted to overthrow the institutions," Nkurunziza will say.

The leader will also strongly request the "uprising is stopped immediately and that those who have grievances should go through the path of dialogue and consultation and not through violence".

The head of state will also announce the reopening of Burundi's borders, which were closed following the coup d'etat.

He will say: "We announce to the population and the international community that all borders are open and are under guard and that life is back to normal."

Burundian diaspora protests

While there were reports on 15 May that crowds in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, were cheering for Nkurunziza as he returned to his Presidential Palace, demonstrators in London called on the president to withdraw his third-term bid.

The UK Burundian Diaspora (UKBD) also called on UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday to withdraw his financial assistance to Burundi's electoral process, as the group claimed Nkurunziza's third term bid in elections due to take place in June is "unconstitutional".

The UKBD marched in central London on 15 May to protest against the ongoing violence in Burundi that has left 22 dead, as demonstrators accused the president of violating the constitution and the Arusha Peace Agreement.