Burundi's capital rocked by blasts on eve of presidential election
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Version 0 of 1. Explosions and gunfire were heard late on Monday in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, hours before polls were due to open in a divisive presidential election. At least three loud explosions and sustained bursts of gunfire were heard in the capital, but their origin was unclear. There was no information on the number of possible casualties. Shots could still be heard shortly before 2300 local time (2000 GMT) but they had become more sporadic. Witnesses said unknown assailants in the northern Ngagara suburb had opened fire on police officers, who fired back. At least two blasts were heard in the area. Shots and at least two explosions were also heard in Nyakabiga, north-east of the city, and Kanyosha in the south, residents said. Earlier on Monday, a grenade was lobbed from a passing car into a street close to the symbolic Independence Square in central Bujumbura. There were no reports of injuries. The attacks occurred against the backdrop of roiling tensions over Pierre Nkurunziza’s quest for a third consecutive five-year term as president. The opposition has called for a boycott of Tuesday’s election, which is going ahead despite months of violent anti-government protests and appeals from the international community for the incumbent to step aside. |