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Fierce fighting at Burundi state broadcaster, pro-coup troops in major attack

More heavy fighting erupted around the headquarters of Burundi's state broadcaster on Thursday, as troops supporting an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza said they had launched a major armoured assault to try and capture the state TV and radio complex. A general supporting the coup told AFP that the main units fighting to oust…

map_of_burundiMore heavy fighting erupted around the headquarters of Burundi’s state broadcaster on Thursday, as troops supporting an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza said they had launched a major armoured assault to try and capture the state TV and radio complex.

A general supporting the coup told AFP that the main units fighting to oust the president “have just received the order to take RTNB, and this should be done quickly because we have the means”.

The attack came after state radio broadcast a message from the president, who is out of the country.

An AFP correspondent was unable to approach the RTNB building, with access roads sealed off by presidential guards who remain loyal to Nkurunziza.

The struggle for control of the broadcaster came after pro-Nkurunziza loyalists destroyed several independent radio stations which had been used by the rebel troops to broadcast their messages.

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