Witnesses say Burundi's army chief unharmed after gunmen attack his convoy in the capital

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – Witnesses and officials in Burundi's capital say the army chief has survived an apparent assassination attempt by gunmen who attacked a convoy of vehicles that was escorting him.

Witness Anicet Nkunzimana says gunmen wearing military fatigues and riding a pick-up truck fired on the convoy of the army chief, Maj. Gen. Prime Niyongabo, in Bujumbura's Kinindo neighborhood early Friday. Nkunzimana lives in the neighborhood.

A military official says on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media that Niyongabo was not injured.

Security forces have since cordoned off the area of the attack.

Niyongabo is believed to have helped foil an attempted coup in May against President Pierre Nkurunziza, who faced street protests over his bid for a third term.