Thousands flee fighting in Mubimbi, Bujumbura Rural

Thousands of residents of Mubimbi Commune in Bujumbura Rural Province have fled fighting that erupted on Saturday between rebels of the Forces Nationales de Liberation (FNL) and Force pour la Defense de la Democratie (FDD), Home Affairs and Public Security Minister Salvator Ntihabose said at a news conference. "We have been informed of a large number of people who were forced to flee," he said on Monday in the national capital, Bujumbura. He said the government had asked Bujumbura Rural provincial authorities to help displaced persons who were waiting for assistance from humanitarian organisations. Meanwhile, he said, a mission had been sent to ascertain the situation, and the numbers and locations of displaced. The two rebel groups are also fighting each other in the northwestern province of Bubanza, a region affected by repeated fighting between the army and rebel groups. "I cannot yet tell you why the two rebel movements are fighting each other," Ntihabose said.