Thousands more displaced in latest fighting

An estimated 20,000 people have been displaced in Burundi's western province of Bujumbura Rural, following fresh fighting between the army and Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) rebels loyal to Agathon Rwasa, provincial Governor Ignace Ntawembarira told IRIN on Monday. Most of the displaced have sought refuge in schools and at a health centre in the commune of Kabezi, where the administrator, Felix Ntahombaye, said another 30,000 displaced people had sought refuge in April. "Fresh fighting between the FNL and the army last week discouraged those who were attempting to return to their respective villages," Ntahombaye said. He added that the displaced were from the sub-counties of Migera, Mubone and Ramba. Ntawembarira said insecurity in the province had caused approximately 75 percent of Kabezi residents to seek protection in camps for the internally displaced. The deputy army spokesman, Maj Adolphe Manirakiza, announced on Friday that nine rebels were killed and five weapons seized during the latest clash between the army and FNL rebels in an area near the communes of Kanyosha, Kabezi and Mutambu in Bujumbura Rural. Ntahombaye said aid agencies had distributed food and blankets to many of the displaced. "If the security situation allows it, the displaced can go back home to harvest their crops," he added. Bujumbura Rural is an FNL stronghold and the communes of Kabezi, Kanyosha and Mutambu, in this province, have experienced frequent attacks. Rwasa's FNL remains the only rebel group that is yet to hold ceasefire negotiations with the transitional government, and continues to attack the army. On 21 April, at the end of a four-day meeting in the Tanzanian town of Kigoma, the FNL announced that it had decided to suspend hostilities. FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana announced then that the group had decided to stop fighting "but if attacked we will defend ourselves". The group had also said it had relaxed its stance regarding peace negotiations with the government but that such talks would not begin before the international community listened to its grievances.