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'Fifty killed' in Burundi clashes | 'Fifty killed' in Burundi clashes |
(10 minutes later) | |
Burundi's army says it has killed 50 rebel fighters in the latest clashes near the capital, Bujumbura. | Burundi's army says it has killed 50 rebel fighters in the latest clashes near the capital, Bujumbura. |
Spokesman Colonel Adolphe Manirakiza said the army responded after its patrol was ambushed. He said two soldiers were also killed. | Spokesman Colonel Adolphe Manirakiza said the army responded after its patrol was ambushed. He said two soldiers were also killed. |
This is the heaviest fighting since clashes resumed last month. | This is the heaviest fighting since clashes resumed last month. |
Meanwhile, rebel FNL spokesman says they will go to the capital next week to discuss reviving a ceasefire agreement signed more than a year ago. | Meanwhile, rebel FNL spokesman says they will go to the capital next week to discuss reviving a ceasefire agreement signed more than a year ago. |
"The Palipehutu-FNL has not lost the war but it wants peace," Pasteur Habimana told the AFP news agency. | "The Palipehutu-FNL has not lost the war but it wants peace," Pasteur Habimana told the AFP news agency. |
He could not confirm the army's casualty figures. | He could not confirm the army's casualty figures. |
"Those who died and were captured are Burundians. The army shouldn't be rejoicing so much at a time when everybody, including the international community, is seeking to rekindle peace efforts in our country," he said. | "Those who died and were captured are Burundians. The army shouldn't be rejoicing so much at a time when everybody, including the international community, is seeking to rekindle peace efforts in our country," he said. |
About 100 people have died since the FNL fired shells at Bujumbura three weeks ago. | About 100 people have died since the FNL fired shells at Bujumbura three weeks ago. |
Peace deals have been signed with most of Burundi's rebel groups - including one which now forms the government - except the FNL, which remains active. | Peace deals have been signed with most of Burundi's rebel groups - including one which now forms the government - except the FNL, which remains active. |
Distrust | Distrust |
The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Bujumbura says a ceasefire was agreed with the FNL in September 2006 but it has not been implemented. | The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Bujumbura says a ceasefire was agreed with the FNL in September 2006 but it has not been implemented. |
The rebels did not confirm the army's casualty figures | |
FNL leaders in exile in Tanzania want full immunity from prosecution and a share of government jobs. | FNL leaders in exile in Tanzania want full immunity from prosecution and a share of government jobs. |
But this would require constitutional changes which the government - wracked by a parliamentary crisis - does not have the power to deliver. | But this would require constitutional changes which the government - wracked by a parliamentary crisis - does not have the power to deliver. |
Earlier this week, Tanzania gave the rebel leaders a 10-day deadline to return to Burundi and resume negotiations. | Earlier this week, Tanzania gave the rebel leaders a 10-day deadline to return to Burundi and resume negotiations. |
Correspondents say the latest fighting will only deepen the distrust that has so far prevented a final peace deal. | Correspondents say the latest fighting will only deepen the distrust that has so far prevented a final peace deal. |
Tanzania and Uganda, which helped broker the ceasefire agreement, are becoming increasingly impatient with the rebels, seeing them as the final obstacle to lasting peace and stability in Burundi. | Tanzania and Uganda, which helped broker the ceasefire agreement, are becoming increasingly impatient with the rebels, seeing them as the final obstacle to lasting peace and stability in Burundi. |
Ex-rebel Pierre Nkurunziza was elected president in 2005 under a deal to end years of conflict between the Tutsi army and Hutu rebels. | Ex-rebel Pierre Nkurunziza was elected president in 2005 under a deal to end years of conflict between the Tutsi army and Hutu rebels. |
More than 300,000 people died in the war sparked in 1993 by the assassination of Burundi's first Hutu head of state and democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye. | More than 300,000 people died in the war sparked in 1993 by the assassination of Burundi's first Hutu head of state and democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye. |
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