Aid prospects high for Burundi’s reconstruction

The international community is keen on helping in the reconstruction of Burundi, but “they want to be ready when the Burundese are ready,” mediator Julius Nyerere told delegates at the Burundi peace process in Arusha. “The international community is ready to move and help Burundi at the community level. It is also willing and preparing to help and give when the parties in negotiation reach an agreement,” he said in a statement received by IRIN. 17 killed in southern villages Burundi’s state news agency said yesterday that gunmen killed 17 people in a raid on two villages in the south of the country. The attackers opened fire on people in the villages of Mabanda and Kibago, burnt houses, and killed and mutilated cattle.