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Upsurge in fighting

    NAIROBI

    Fighting has been reported near the capital Bujumbura. News organisations said the army has launched an offensive in the hills surrounding the city, after five soldiers were killed in Bujumbura Rural on Friday. Residents of the city confirmed heavy gunfire at night, but stressed this was a usual occurrence. The Agence burundaise de presse said 50 people were killed by rebels in a weekend attack at Nyamuyuga and Gikwiye in the southeastern Ruyigi province. Dozens of houses were burnt and looted, the agency said. Observers point out that rebels opposed to the Arusha peace accord may be stepping up their attacks as the date for signing grows closer. The facilitator of the peace process, Nelson Mandela, wants the sides to sign on 28 August.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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