Evariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi, has fired his Prime Minister and a hitherto trusted aide, the chief of staff, over reports of a coup plot.
Last week, President Ndayishimiye warned of threats of a coup, saying he will defeat those plotting to oust him from power.
Speaking during a meeting of government officials in the political capital of Gitega, Ndayishimiye asked: “Do you think an army general can be threatened by saying they will make a coup? Who is that person? Whoever it is should come and, in the name of God, I will defeat him.”
On Wednesday, Ndayishimiye sacked Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni and civilian chief of staff General Gabriel Nizigama.
Members of Parliament quickly approved the appointment of security minister Gervais Ndirakobuca as the new prime minister.
The approval was a unanimous: 113-0 vote, meaning no law makers opposed the new appointment.
Ndayishimiye also appointed Col Aloys Sindayihebura Ndayishimiye, who formerly worked with the National Intelligence Service, as the new chief of staff.
It was not readily clear why Ndayishimiye fired Bunyoni but the sacking is said to be linked to the warning on an alleged coup plot.
It also remained to be seen what Bunyoni’s fate will be.
Aged 54, Ndayishimiye ascended to the Burundian top office in June 2020 following the death of then President Pierre Nkurunziza.
