Burundi is currently facing violent attacks. At least three people were killed and dozens injured Monday evening in a series of explosions in the economic capital, Bujumbura, police and media said.
They come the day after the deadly explosion of a grenade in a bar in the Burundian capital, Gitega, and mortar fire claimed by the RED-Tabara rebel group at Bujumbura airport on Saturday evening.
Panic scenes
At least two grenades exploded in a bus parking lot in central Bujumbura on Monday around 7 p.m. “One person was killed and 29 injured, some seriously,” said a police officer who requested anonymity. The explosion caused scenes of panic, with bus drivers, passengers or people standing there trying to flee, screaming, and running in all directions. The third explosion targeted a market, killing at least two people and injuring several others, the Iwacu newspaper reported.
No Burundian official wanted to react to these attacks, which were not claimed, as well as the grenade attack on Sunday which killed two people in a bar in Gitega. “The grenade explosion caused a lot of damage, two people were killed instantly while eight other wounded people are being treated in several health facilities in Gitega,” said a police officer, who also requested anonymity. According to a second security source, the bar belonged to a police officer and gathered there “many officials and members of the ruling party”.
The international airport concerned
“All these attacks are launched by the enemies of peace to show that insecurity reigns in Burundi as His Excellency President Evariste Ndayishimiye goes to New York for his biggest visit since he has been at the head of the ‘Burundian state,’ said a senior official, on condition of anonymity. “But they will not go far because the situation is under control,” added the same source.
Late Saturday evening, the day before the president left to participate in the UN general assembly, the rebel group RED-Tabara carried out an attack on the Melchior Ndadaye international airport in Bujumbura. These shots, heard as far as the city center, did not cause any damage and the air traffic continued. Founded 10 years ago, RED-Tabara, which has its rear base in South Kivu, DR Congo, is today the most active of the Burundian rebel groups. He is accused of being the source of numerous fatal attacks or ambushes across the country since 2015.