Burundi General Godefroid Niyombare, who announced the overthrow of the president Wednesday, is a former member of a feared rebel army, powerful spy chief, diplomat and respected army officer.
An ex-chief of staff of the army and one-time ambassador to Kenya, Niyombare has a reputation for professionalism and integrity, commanding respect among rank and file soldiers in the new Burundi that emerged after the end of a brutal civil war in 2006.