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Burundi opposition spokesman shot dead as violence escalates Burundi opposition spokesman shot dead as violence escalates
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An opposition party official has been shot dead in Burundi amid an escalation of political violence after a disputed election.An opposition party official has been shot dead in Burundi amid an escalation of political violence after a disputed election.
Patrice Gahungu, spokesman of the Union for Peace and Democracy, was “shot dead by unidentified people” as he arrived home late on Monday evening, deputy police chief Godefroid Bizimana told Agence France-Presse. Patrice Gahungu, spokesman of the Union for Peace and Democracy (UPD), was shot dead by unidentified people as he arrived home late on Monday evening, the deputy police chief, Godefroid Bizimana, told Agence France-Presse.
It is the latest in a series of mysterious killings in the capital, Bujumbura, where fear, rumour and tension dominate after President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial re-election in July.It is the latest in a series of mysterious killings in the capital, Bujumbura, where fear, rumour and tension dominate after President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial re-election in July.
Gahungu’s widow, Clemence Nsabiyimbona, told Reuters: “It is a political assassination because he had no problem with any one. In this country when you openly oppose the ruling party and the government, you are automatically an enemy worth being killed.” Gahungu’s widow, Clemence Nsabiyimbona, told Reuters: “It is a political assassination because he had no problem with anyone. In this country when you openly oppose the ruling party and the government, you are automatically an enemy worth being killed.”
The UPD president, Zedi Feruzi, was fatally shot in May during weeks of unrest triggered by Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power. Exiled UPD official Chauvineau Mugwengezot, now honorary president of the party, also claimed the government had orchestrated Gahungu’s killing. The UPD president, Zedi Feruzi was fatally shot in May during weeks of unrest triggered by Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power. Exiled UPD official Chauvineau Mugwengezo, now honorary president of the party, also claimed the government had orchestrated Gahungu’s killing.
“This heinous crime is part of a series of assassinations targeting all those who dared to say that his third term is illegal,” he told Agence France-Presse, adding that the UPD, which boycotted the elections, was targeted because it had previously taken in members of the ruling party who had split from Nkurunziza.“This heinous crime is part of a series of assassinations targeting all those who dared to say that his third term is illegal,” he told Agence France-Presse, adding that the UPD, which boycotted the elections, was targeted because it had previously taken in members of the ruling party who had split from Nkurunziza.
But a police source said the UPD spokesman might have been killed by the opposition because “he had publicly congratulated president Nkurunziza for his re-election, which had attracted the wrath of his camp”. But a police source said the UPD spokesman might have been killed by the opposition because “he had publicly congratulated President Nkurunziza for his re-election, which had attracted the wrath of his camp”.
The president’s decision to run for a third term, seen by many as unconstitutional, triggered weeks of street protests led by opposition groups and a failed coup attempt. His victory in a widely boycotted election has failed to end the crisis. Nkurunziza’s top security aide, general Adolphe Nshimirimana, was killed in a rocket attack last month, raising fears of revenge killings.The president’s decision to run for a third term, seen by many as unconstitutional, triggered weeks of street protests led by opposition groups and a failed coup attempt. His victory in a widely boycotted election has failed to end the crisis. Nkurunziza’s top security aide, general Adolphe Nshimirimana, was killed in a rocket attack last month, raising fears of revenge killings.
Charles Nditije, a former minister who is now president of the opposition Union for National Progress party, said he survived a recent assassination attempt when the gunman was apprehended. He now frequently swaps cars when he travels around the city and no longer sleeps at home every night.Charles Nditije, a former minister who is now president of the opposition Union for National Progress party, said he survived a recent assassination attempt when the gunman was apprehended. He now frequently swaps cars when he travels around the city and no longer sleeps at home every night.
Speaking against the backdrop of gunfire, the 61-year-old said: “I’m blacklisted so I can be attacked at any time. Around 90% of opposition leaders are outside the country. The president is pushing all opponents out so he can gain a stranglehold. People have been killed, tortured, arrested, but if we all go out of the country it will be a betrayal. We have to remain to support each other. There is no way we can fight a tyrant from outside.”Speaking against the backdrop of gunfire, the 61-year-old said: “I’m blacklisted so I can be attacked at any time. Around 90% of opposition leaders are outside the country. The president is pushing all opponents out so he can gain a stranglehold. People have been killed, tortured, arrested, but if we all go out of the country it will be a betrayal. We have to remain to support each other. There is no way we can fight a tyrant from outside.”
About 100 people have died and hundreds been arrested during the instability. Protests have flared up again in Bujumbura as security forces attempt to disarm civilians in some volatile parts of the city. Activists released photographs they said showed one man, Innocent Sahiri, with a grenade forced into his mouth during demonstrations last week in the Musaga district.About 100 people have died and hundreds been arrested during the instability. Protests have flared up again in Bujumbura as security forces attempt to disarm civilians in some volatile parts of the city. Activists released photographs they said showed one man, Innocent Sahiri, with a grenade forced into his mouth during demonstrations last week in the Musaga district.
Willy Nyamitwe, senior adviser to the president, said: “These pictures are simply fabricated to tarnish the Burundian police. They are spreading rumours. So it’s only a fabrication.”Willy Nyamitwe, senior adviser to the president, said: “These pictures are simply fabricated to tarnish the Burundian police. They are spreading rumours. So it’s only a fabrication.”
Anschaire Nikoyagize, president of the Burundian League for Human Rights, said Sahiri had been arrested and released on the same day. “He was seen as a protester,” he continued. “It seems like these security guys are working for the regime but if you go deep you find that they are not only police but also militias within the police.”Anschaire Nikoyagize, president of the Burundian League for Human Rights, said Sahiri had been arrested and released on the same day. “He was seen as a protester,” he continued. “It seems like these security guys are working for the regime but if you go deep you find that they are not only police but also militias within the police.”
Nikoyagize, one of the few civil society leaders who has not fled the country, is growing his hair and a beard to make himself less recognisable. “There are kidnappings, torture, targeted assassinations. There is no law in the country. Anything can happen and you can be arrested night or day. You can be released but you have to pay a lot of money.Nikoyagize, one of the few civil society leaders who has not fled the country, is growing his hair and a beard to make himself less recognisable. “There are kidnappings, torture, targeted assassinations. There is no law in the country. Anything can happen and you can be arrested night or day. You can be released but you have to pay a lot of money.
“There are black sites where women are raped and men are put in a big container flooded with tear gas. People have developed self-defence groups: when the crisis started there were no guns, but now you can find 10 police killed in a day. So we won’t get peace. People are killing each other based on political orientation. If a guy from the ruling party is killed, maybe two from the opposition will be killed.”“There are black sites where women are raped and men are put in a big container flooded with tear gas. People have developed self-defence groups: when the crisis started there were no guns, but now you can find 10 police killed in a day. So we won’t get peace. People are killing each other based on political orientation. If a guy from the ruling party is killed, maybe two from the opposition will be killed.”