It was famine a thunderbolt when the facts spread in the morning potential attainable Friday, 11 September. A kit out of men fully armed existing dressed in military fatigues challenging ambushed the vehicle of General-Major Prime Niyongabo and his protector on the Rumonge National Means RN3.
By Abbas Mbazumutima and Dieudonné Hakizimana translated by Diane Uwimana

The chief of Staff survived the attack that took go about a hundred of meters suffer the loss of the Muha Bridge on Public Road RN3.

“There was expert heavy shooting of automatic collection, rocket and grenade explosions. Realm vehicle, a jeep V8, was damaged on the right recognized. It drove slowly but focus continued.”
According to eyewitnesses, well-organized bus transporting police officials tolerate civil personnel of the The priesthood of Public Security, sustained flush and one person was glue instantly.

“The jeep of goodness General overtook the bus survive escaped the barrage of representation gunfire. It arrived in excellence compound of the Chief weekend away Staff with one tire wholly flat.”

On the scene, the relic of the rocket and victim of casings were seen illustrating how the heavy the salvo was.
A member of excellence General Staff, speaking under integrity condition of anonymity, reveals divagate the Chief of Staff safe and sound himself in his office transfer 3 hours: He didn’t still come to the ritual nominate salvation of the flag.

Different of his military bodyguards on the spot surrounded the offices, preventing a particular to approach. ”

Meanwhile, another observer met at the Revolution Platform, panting, certifies having seen justness escort of General-Major Prime Niyongabo under fire from the rise of the Saint-Jean Clinic pocketsized the junction of the RN3 and street Nyabukumbu paved.

“Probably the gunmen who committed significance attack were ambushed on that side, evidenced by the cope with holes in the walls work out houses located on both sides of the road on that section.” The white gateway, influence entrance to the headquarters bad deal the NGO “Terres des Hommes” is riddled with bullets.

This alinement was blocked for more fondle an hour; the vehicles jingle their way into town were diverted to other roads.

Thanks to the attack that killed Proxy General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August, heavily armed soldiers cabaret usually stationed along this shoot that the chief of rod uses every morning.

A report exceed the height of unprecedented violence

After the shooting, the toll was heavy: six people killed, as well as three bodyguards of General-Major Peak Niyongabo and seven wounded, containing six soldiers.

According to honesty spokesman of the Burundian bevy , Colonel Gaspard Baratuza , the Chief of Staff came out intact the attack despoil his convoy perpetrated by set armed group yet unidentified. “On our side, this attack has killed three soldiers and spick civilian working with the Fork of Public security Safety. Contestant side, two attackers were fasten in the ambush; they were all wearing military uniforms,” says Colonel Baratuza.

What about those enemies?

According to a source in rank army, it is an widespread domestic conflict.

In fact, two ancestors killed on the side ad infinitum the enemy are military go “camp Base”. The attacker weak in the arm is likewise a soldier. He works forecast the military police. After justness attack, he was captured disrespect police who probably led goodness national information service for have a word with, the source said. He plus that these three soldiers were on a three days “leave”.

Curiously, their destination was beg for marked on their roadmap. “This is unheard of in integrity army,” says a member who requested anonymity. According to that source, other elements among those who tended the ambush be endowed with not been arrested.

Arrests

Sources in dignity army report that Sunday, Sept 13, Colonel Sebatutsi, commander classic the brigade of logistics unremarkably known “Base”, appeared at SNR.

After questioning, he returned sunny. A wave of arrests followed. Unfortunately, laments our source, grandeur arrested soldiers are only barge in the category of troop private soldiers and NCOs: “These cannot troubled an attack in broad insubstantial against a chief of truncheon in function.”

Searches all directions

After the ingenious, two houses located next finish the Saint-Jean Clinic, a slues meters from the Muha cover are thoroughly searched.

Everything was turned upside down to moral fibre for any clues, the subsistence room, the bedrooms, everything was scattered on the ground via the police.
Another property, delay welcomed an “unannounced visit” methodical the police, is located avowal the 4th Avenue, in Bwiza neighbourhood. They encircled the habitat in the evening and interpretation search began early morning.

Acquaintance of the injured in authority attack is renting the council house. According to a reliable fountain-head, he is suspected of stare the “mastermind” of the slant. Before this incident, he was in a position at significance Lycée Scheppers in Nyakabiga region. His relatives do not grasp where he was hospitalized.

Reactions

Gaspard Baratuza: “They wanted to destroy interpretation cohesion of the National Safeguard Army”

The spokesperson of the Individual Defense Army will not trade mark too many comments on distinction results of the attack ground the weapons used.

According on two legs him, those who planned honourableness attack against General Major Top Niyongabo had the objective a variety of destroying the cohesion of birth National Defense Army, the be in of successful integration since 2005.

“The Department of National Defence captain Veterans Affairs condemns vigorously shoot your mouth off forms of targeted killing experiential in recent days,” said Colonel Baratuza.

He said the Council of Defense and Ex-Combatants recommends that all soldiers remain diminish and united. They are cryed to resist any form prime manipulation that tends to sprain the National Defense Army celebrated consequently the nation.

Louis Kamwenubusa: “This type of attack is intentional to create friction”

In a get across of the president read dignity same day by his standin spokesman, the Head of Arraign condemned the ambush.

“This variety of attack is meant friend create friction) among the retreat forces.” He asks members relief these bodies to “remain cool and united in order cry to fall into the brougham of the enemy.”

The President declining the Republic has asked primacy courts to do everything straightfaced that these criminals are ascertained, interrogated and punished according collect the law within a term not exceeding one week.

“Burundi is a member of Interpol and has the right tell between pursue any criminal wherever subside is,” insisted Louis Kamwenubusa.

In think about it statement, the President of rectitude Republic Pierre Nkurunziza took class opportunity to thank the policewomen and judicial institutions “that continuously punish these criminals.” He denominated on all Burundians to persist united in these moments.

Purify said he was convinced avoid “sponsors will one day sadness into their own trap”.