Bujumbura, May 14 (RHC)-- The head of Burundi’s armed forces says an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza has been thwarted. An army general claimed yesterday to have ousted the president after more than two weeks of protests.

Scores of people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes since unrest broke out over Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term.

On Wednesday, large celebrations erupted in the capital after the announcement of a coup. But the jovial scene was followed by heavy clashes between rival forces. Aides to President Nkurunziza have denounced the coup attempt as a "joke" and have vowed his return from a regional summit in Tanzania.