(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Parts of the small southeast African nation of Burundi are in lockdown after an attempted coup by an army general.
It's unclear whether the coup has been successful, with the Burundian president not currently in the country.
Darren Mara reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Thousands poured onto the streets in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, after news of a coup against the government.
Coup leaders say they're acting to prevent the country's president from seeking a third term, which they say would be unconstitutional.
Coup leader Major General Godefroid Niyombare took to radio to outline his demands.
"Following insecurity in our country, especially in the capital, we have closed all Burundian borders and the airport. We ask security forces and military to ensure these orders are respected."
The Major General says he's working with civil society groups to form a transitional government.
He's called on his soldiers to respect civilians' rights and says he's setting up a special committee to maintain law and order.
The coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza was staged while the president was at a leaders' summit in neighbouring Tanzania.
How the situation might play out is still unclear, with the presidency insisting the coup has already failed.
Sporadic gunfire has been heard in the capital and it's not immediately clear how much support the coup leaders have.
There have already been calls for calm and, at the East African leaders' summit, condemnation.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is chairing the summit.
"The summit condemns in the strongest terms possible the coup in Burundi and the summit is of the view that it does not solve the problems of Burundi."
The United Nations has also weighed in.
It's been following closely the weeks of unrest that have gripped Burundi.
Stephane Dujarric is a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"The Secretary-General urgently calls on all parties to exercise calm and restraint. He reminds all Burundian leaders of the need to preserve peace and stability in a country that has suffered so grievously from previous bouts of violence."
The United States has also expressed its concerns for the country and called for a return to law and order.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest:
"We call on all sides to lay down arms, end the violence, and show restraint, just as Burundian authorities have a responsibility to restore the necessary conditions to hold credible elections."
Activists say more than 20 people have been killed in weeks of protest against the president's re-election bid.
It's caused more than 50,000 Burundians to flee to neighbouring states.
It's the worst crisis in Burundi since an ethnically fuelled civil war ended in 2005.
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