SA keeping close watch on Burundi power play

14 May 2015 - 02:07 By Graeme Hosken

The government is keeping a close eye on the security situation in Burundi. It is not yet known if Pierre Nkurunziza has been ousted as president in a coup or whether government forces have quashed the uprising. Both Nkurunziza and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa were in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the time of the uprising. It was hoped that Ramaphosa would broker a deal in which Nkurunziza would renounce his plans to rule for a third term, the ambition that sparked the uprising .Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesman Clayson Monyela yesterday said the department was in hourly contact with the South African ambassador in Burundi ."We are being kept up to date on whether actions are needed," he said when asked if embassy staff would be evacuated.South Africans with friends, relatives or colleagues in Burundi can contact the Department of International Relations and Co-operation for updates on the security situation on 012-351-1000...

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