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Security forces cordoned off the capital Bujumbura over the weekend to head off a demonstration by anti-genocide groups opposed to aspects of the Arusha peace talks. The private Netpress news agency said the city was practically inaccessible by vehicle on Saturday and traders were angry over the loss of business. “The large number of police and gendarmes mingling with the demonstrators and pedestrians created confusion and nervousness among the people hemmed in the town centre,” Netpress said. It described the demonstration itself as a success.
Participants marched through the city, brandishing slogans such as “No negotiations with the genocidal terrorists”, “No amnesty for the perpetrators of genocide”, “No to the dismemberment of the national army”, “No to the recolonisation of Burundi”, “Burundi should be ruled by clean Tutsi, Hutu and Twa”. The Agence burundaise de presse (ABP) said the demonstration had been banned by the Mayor of Bujumbura, Pie Ntiyankundiye, for security reasons.
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