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Burundi gunmen attack military sites as violence intensifies Burundi gunmen attack military sites as violence intensifies
(about 1 hour later)
Political unrest in Burundi has escalated after unidentified gunmen attacked two military facilities in the capital, Bujumbura. Political unrest in Burundi has escalated after unidentified gunmen attacked military facilities in the capital, Bujumbura.
The death toll was not immediately known, but a senior officer said dozens of people had been killed early on Friday, including the attackers.
The fighting – the worst in the country since an attempted coup in May – began at 4am local time, targeting a base in the north of the city and a training college in the south.
Related: Burundians living in daily fear face stark choice: flee, or risk dying in the attempt | Jessica HatcherRelated: Burundians living in daily fear face stark choice: flee, or risk dying in the attempt | Jessica Hatcher
A senior officer told Agence France-Presse: “After more than two hours of clashes, the army repulsed the southern attack, while virtually all the attackers were killed in Ngagara base. There are dozens of deaths among the attackers and we also have losses.” Army spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza claimed 12 attackers had been killed and 21 captured while five soldiers had been wounded in the fighting – the worst in the country since an attempted coup in May.
The attacks began at 4am local time, targeting a base in the north of the city and a training college in the south.
Baratuza said the attackers had aimed “to stock up on weapons and ammunition”. “The army has defeated them seriously,” the spokesman told AFP.
Clashes continued throughout the day in different parts of the capital with witnesses describing heavy firing, including artillery, lasting several hours at the military locations.
Willy Nyamitwe, a presidential media adviser, using a term to describe political opponents, tweeted: “Situation is returning to normal as firearms are seized, many Sindumuja assailants killed or arrested.”Willy Nyamitwe, a presidential media adviser, using a term to describe political opponents, tweeted: “Situation is returning to normal as firearms are seized, many Sindumuja assailants killed or arrested.”
The #Sindumuja insurgency ended up with a failed Coup. The shots in the night conclude with the today defeated attack. Long live #BurundiThe #Sindumuja insurgency ended up with a failed Coup. The shots in the night conclude with the today defeated attack. Long live #Burundi
Gunfire could still be heard as late as 8.30am. The streets of Bujumbura, normally bustling at that time, were reportedly empty as residents stayed at home.
The identity of the gunmen remains unknown, but they are likely to belong to one of the small but uncoordinated armed groups that have been fighting against the government.The identity of the gunmen remains unknown, but they are likely to belong to one of the small but uncoordinated armed groups that have been fighting against the government.
The coordinated attacks mark a significant escalation in violence in Burundi, with analysts saying they could be the opening salvo of a new civil war.The coordinated attacks mark a significant escalation in violence in Burundi, with analysts saying they could be the opening salvo of a new civil war.
The country has been in crisis since Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a third term as president earlier this year. Although this was rubber-stamped by the constitutional court, and he duly won an election in July, critics including the African Union have said his third term is illegal.The country has been in crisis since Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a third term as president earlier this year. Although this was rubber-stamped by the constitutional court, and he duly won an election in July, critics including the African Union have said his third term is illegal.
As tensions have increased, so has political violence. Police crackdowns, extrajudicial executions and armed skirmishes between the government and various rebel groups have become commonplace, leaving at least 200 people dead and causing more than 200,000 to flee the country.
Related: Burundi in economic turmoil as unrest triggers fourfold increase in bad debtRelated: Burundi in economic turmoil as unrest triggers fourfold increase in bad debt
As tensions have increased, so has political violence. Police crackdowns, extrajudicial executions and armed skirmishes between the government and various rebel groups have become commonplace, leaving at least 200 people dead and causing more than 200,000 to flee the country.
Burundi’s last civil war ended 10 years ago, but history may be repeating itself, warned Yolande Bouka, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.Burundi’s last civil war ended 10 years ago, but history may be repeating itself, warned Yolande Bouka, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.
“If you look at the previous civil war, you had very similar patterns of violence. You have small armed groups that are starting with grenade attacks here and there, and eventually it escalates and these groups get momentum and resources,” she said.“If you look at the previous civil war, you had very similar patterns of violence. You have small armed groups that are starting with grenade attacks here and there, and eventually it escalates and these groups get momentum and resources,” she said.
Bouka said the international community had already missed several chances to mediate between armed groups, the political opposition and the government, and that it may now be too late. “The perpetration of violence is not isolated on one side or another,” she said. “Gaining control of these groups on both sides of the divide is going to become increasingly difficult.” Bouka said the international community had already missed several chances to mediate between armed groups, the political opposition and the government, and that it might now be too late. “The perpetration of violence is not isolated on one side or another,” she said. “Gaining control of these groups on both sides of the divide is going to become increasingly difficult.”
On Tuesday, the UN special adviser for the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, warned that the situation in Burundi was spiralling out of control. “I am not saying that tomorrow there will be a genocide in Burundi, but there is a serious risk that if we do not stop the violence, this may end with a civil war, and following such a civil war, anything is possible,” he said.On Tuesday, the UN special adviser for the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, warned that the situation in Burundi was spiralling out of control. “I am not saying that tomorrow there will be a genocide in Burundi, but there is a serious risk that if we do not stop the violence, this may end with a civil war, and following such a civil war, anything is possible,” he said.