Civilians, rebels killed in morning attack

Up to 20 civilians and seven rebel fighters were killed in an attack early Monday by the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) on southern suburbs of the capital, Bujumbura, army spokesman Col Augustin Nzabampema told IRIN. "The attack this Monday morning is a warning to President [Domitien] Ndayizeye who has threatened to intensify attacks against our movement," FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana said. Nzabampema said bodies of at least 20 civilians had been discovered outside houses. "FNL rebels led by Agathon Rwasa infiltrated Kanyosha, Musaga and Kibenga suburbs in the southern part of Bujumbura early this [Monday] morning, the army repulsed the attackers," he said. He added that the fighting was continuing outside the capital, at Kabezi and Buhonga communes in Bujumbura Rural Province. "We already counted seven rebels killed," he said. "The rebels had also blocked all principal roads leading to Bujumbura, but the army has succeeded in removing the obstacles at Highway 1 towards the city centre," the army spokesman said. Roadblocks on roads to the north of Burundi, Highway 3 towards the south and the highway heading to northwest had also been cleared, he said. However, "there is still a problem on Highway 7 leading to the southeast because rebels have taken the population hostage, precisely at Buhonga," he said. He added that the army was trying to normalise traffic on the road. A resident of Musaga, who requested anonymity, told IRIN that seven bodies of civilians were lying near his house, and another resident of Kanyosha said more than 15 civilians were killed during the exchange of fire between the army and the rebels. Habimana dismissed the rebel death toll given by the army, saying no FNL fighter was killed. He said the fighters were still inside the capital: "We entered Bujumbura and we intend to stay, our objective is not to speculate about dead persons." "It is time the Tutsi army and the Tutsi community came to discuss with us the real problems of Burundi," he said. Rwasa's FNL faction remains the only group that has not signed a ceasefire agreement with the government. Three other rebel groups signed agreements with the government in 2002 but accusations of ceasefire violations have been made by all sides.