Humanitarians confirm 4,000 families on the run in Kabezi Commune

Some 4,000 households - at least 20,000 persons - have fled Masama, Gitenga, Mwaza and Kiremba hills of Kabezi Commune in Bujumbura Rural Province, following fighting between the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) faction of Agathon Rwasa and the army, humanitarian officials told IRIN on Friday. "According to the list we have from the administration, 4,000 households have fled since 23 May. They are dispersed in villages at Mutambu, Mutumba and Kabezi sectors. Food distribution by the World Food Programme is planned on 5 and 6 June, and will take place at Kabezi," Nathalie Kabirori of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told IRIN. "Fighting has now stopped, but there is still tension and the population fears returning home," Kabirori said. "Last Wednesday, 28 May, sporadic shots were heard and some of the population who have already joined their homes fled again. They are dispersed in neighbouring villages, they share food with their neighbours who have welcomed them." The population of Bujumbura Rural is often uprooted due to clashes between the army and Rwasa's FNL, which has refused to take part in peace talks with the government.