BUJUMBURA: Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza on Sunday made his first appearance since an attempted coup, warning of a threat from Shebab militants and sending a clear message he is in charge 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. He gave only a brief statement, without even mentioning the failed plot to overthrow him.
A group of top generals on Wednesday launched a bid to oust Nkurunziza while he was on a visit to neighbouring Tanzania after weeks of deadly street protests over his controversial bid to stand for a third term in office.
Nkurunziza spoke about reported threats from Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants, who have threatened 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.
Nkurunziza has been accused of launching a campaign of repression against opponents and trying to silence independent media since coup leaders admitted defeat on Friday after fierce fighting with loyalist troops.
Seventeen alleged plotters appeared in court on Saturday, including a former defence minister and two top police commissioners, to face accusations of "attempting to overthrow the state".
Willy Nyamitwe, a close aide to the president, said Burundi's election commission "could decide to delay" parliamentary and presidential votes due to the crisis, but gave no indication the president 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," he said, insisting any 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".
The election commission said a decision on the delay would be announced in the coming days.
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