The East African Community (EAC) has condemned reports of a coup in Burundi, as President Pierre Nkurunziza maintains he is still in charge in a post on the presidential Facebook page.

Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, who is the current chair of the EAC, told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that the region wants an immediate return to constitutional order in the country.

Heavy gunfire was reported between soldiers loyal to President Nkurunziza and troops near the national radio and television station in the capital Bujumbura, who were attempting to take control of the broadcaster.

A former intelligence chief on Wednesday declared a coup against Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza, whose bid for a third term has plunged the country into weeks of mass unrest. 

“The national radio and television is still the key priority for the coup, but the soldiers seem to be defiant to let the general’s troops to enter,” a source in Bujumbura told The EastAfrican.

General Godefroid Niyombareh, fired this year by the president for allegedly opposing his third term bid, announced on private radio that Mr Nkurunziza’s government has been dismissed.

In a statement read to reporters, Gen Niyombareh said that a national salvation committee comprising different civil society groups would form a transition government.

Mr Nkurunziza, who is away attending an EAC meeting in Tanzania over the crisis in his country, dismissed the coup as “joke,” through his spokesman Willy Nyamitwe.

“The masses have decided to take into their own hands the destiny of the nation to remedy this unconstitutional environment into which Burundi has been plunged,” read the statement from the general.

"The masses vigorously and tenaciously reject President Nkurunziza's third-term mandate... President Pierre Nkurunziza has been relieved of his duties. The government is overthrown."

Meanwhile, thousands of Burundians took to the streets of Bujumbura to celebrate the coup, with media reports saying the police virtually “vanished” from the streets as soon as the coup declaration was made. 

While it is not clear the amount of support the general has within the political and security establishment, he said the transition committee has the support of high-ranking army and police commanders.

Some images from the capital showed the military mingling with protesters and some even riding on tanks in the city centre.

The popular African Public Radio went back on air after being shut down by the government when the anti-Nkurunziza protests began last month.

President Nkurunziza fired General Godefroid Niyombare early this year, just three months into his appointment. No reason was given for his dismissal. 

Since protests broke out a month ago, at least 15 people have lost their lives.

Facts on coup leader

• The 46-year-old coup leader was once an ally of   President   Nkurunziza.
• Former rebel CNDD-FDD commander
• First ethnic Hutu army chief - a significant step in reconciliation efforts
• A negotiator in peace talks with last rebel group FNL
• Oversaw Burundi's deployment to Somalia as part of African force
• Served as an ambassador to Kenya
• Dismissed as intelligence chief in February, three months after his appointment
• His dismissal came days after he advised against the third-term bid

(Source: BBC)