Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has said his country faces a specific threat from the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab.
He was appearing in public in the capital Bujumbura for the first time since a failed coup bid against him was launched on Wednesday.
Mr Nkurunziza made no mention of the coup attempt, which came after weeks of sometimes violent protests against him.
The president’s claims have been met with skepticism from many, who fear they could provide a pretext for the security services to crack down those opposing him.
The UK and the US Al-Shabaab has threatened to carry out attacks in Burundi because of its role in the African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The US has advised its citizens to leave the country because of the deteriorating political situation, and had previously warned about the threat from Al-Shabaab.
Burundi has more than 5400 troops in Somalia as part of African union peace keeping troops in the country.
