Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza today made his first official appearance since an attempted coup, looking relaxed and appearing confident that he was in full control of the central African nation.
Dressed in a blue blazer and polo shirt, the president smiled and shook hands with reporters at the presidency in Bujumbura's city centre, and gave only a brief statement without even mentioning this week's attempt to overthrow him.
Nkurunziza has been facing weeks of violent and deadly street protests over his controversial bid to stand for a third consecutive term in office. On Wednesday a group of top generals announced they were overthrowing him while he was on a visit to neighbouring Tanzania.
But on Friday the coup leaders admitted defeat, having failed to capture the state broadcaster after fierce fighting with loyalist troops. Seventeen alleged plotters appeared in court yesterday while the alleged ringleader is still said to be on the run.
Nkurunziza pointedly ignored the coup attempt and spoke only about reported threats from Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants, who have warned of mounting attacks against Burundi and other states that contribute troops to the African Union force in Somalia.
"We have taken measures against Al-Shebab. We take this threat seriously," the president said.
Addressing the domestic crisis, Willy Nyamitwe, a close aide to the president, said Burundi's election commission "could decide to delay" Burundi's parliamentary and presidential votes - although he gave no indication that Nkurunziza had changed his mind about standing for re-election.
"We will put everything in place for the laws and constitution to be respected and for elections to be held within the time limit set out," he said, insisting a delay would not be used as a pretext for Nkurunziza to prolong his rule.
Parliamentary elections are due to take place on May 26, and presidential polls on June 26. Nyamitwe suggested they could be delayed by "two or three days, by a week".
