(photo by VOA) |
VOA East Africa Correspondent Gabe
Joselow reported from the streets of Burundi's capital early Wednesday amid
reports of a coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza. He filmed thousands of
people cheering President Nkurunziza's apparent ouster, but also cautioned that
their celebrations may be premature as the depth of military support for coup
leader General Godefroid Niyombare was unclear.
VOA's Central Africa Service
broadcast General Niyombare's statement claiming power and balanced it with an
interview with President Nkurunziza's Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana, who
said the coup had failed and the president was on his way back to Bujumbura. VOA
reporters in Burundi provided live updates on the standoff outside the national
radio station along with a series of interviews with protestors.
The Central Africa Service broadcast
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest's call for all sides to end the
violence and his pronouncement that the Obama administration continues to
recognize President Nkurunziza. The Service also spoke to opposition politician
Hussein Radjab and George Mason University professor Elavie Ndura while
profiling General Niyombare and his objection to President Nkurunziza running
for a third term.
VOA's Swahili
Service reported from Dar es Salaam, where President Nkurunziza was
scheduled to meet with regional leaders to discuss Burundi's political crisis.
Swahili carried a statement from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete condemning
the coup and calling for a postponement of next month's vote. The service also
interviewed Burundian opposition politician Agathon Rwasa, who backed removing
the president but objected to military rule.
VOA's French-to-Africa
Service preempted regular programming to focus on the crisis in
Burundi. The English-language television show Africa 54 led with original
Joselow reporting from Bujumbura and an on-set interview with Professor
Ndura.
The political upheaval follows
President Nkurunziza's decision to run for re-election, which his opponents say
violates a regional peace accord limiting the president to two terms. President
Nkurunziza says he is not bound by those limits because parliament voted him to
his first term.
As clashes between police and
anti-government protesters increased, VOA this week began boosting broadcasts to
Burundi, adding shortwave and FM broadcasts in Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili,
French, and English. VOA is now able to provide more reporting from the ground,
new drive-time newscasts, and an expanded call-in show.
"The uncertainty of the situation in
Burundi following the coup attempt makes accurate reporting even more
essential," says VOA Director David Ensor. "Our coverage played a vital role
before these events, and it is even more important now to help keep our
audiences informed."
(VOA)
All times UTC
Extended schedule of VOA to Burundi from May 11:
0330-0400 on 7305 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily
0330-0400 on 7325 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily
0330-0400 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily
0400-0430 on 7305 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun
0400-0430 on 7325 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun
0400-0430 on 11905 KWT 250 kW / 220 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun
0400-0430 on 7350 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0400-0430 on 9815 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0400-0430 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0430-0505 on 7350 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0430-0505 on 9815 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0430-0505 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0505-0530 on 7350 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0505-0530 on 9815 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0505-0530 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
1600-1630 on 13630 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1600-1630 on 11865 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat
1600-1630 on 15460 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Sat
1600-1630 on 17530 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Sat
1830-1900 on 11865 SMG 250 kW / 170 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1830-1900 on 13785 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1930-2000 on 9470 SAO 100 kW / 088 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1930-2000 on 11615 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1930-2000 on 12140 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
(DX Mix Nx 910)