Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has urged the country’s military to stay united after Friday’s failed assassination plot against the army chief.
Three bodyguards were killed while six other soldiers were seriously wounded in the morning attack in which two gunmen were killed.
The ambush comes right after a string of attacks on the government and opposition figures over the past few months in Burundi.
The country has been in turmoil since April when President Nkurunziza announced that he would seek a third term in office.
He went on to win the elections that were held in July. The opposition boycotted the polls claiming Nkurunziza’s bid violated the constitution.
U.S Secretary of State John Kerry later described the voting as being deeply flawed.
The president said that the attempt to kill Niyongabo was part of a plan to divide the military.
While Nkurunziza was attending an EAC Heads of State meeting in Tanzania back in May, several renegade army officials attempted to topple his government but were thwarted.
