FDD denies planning attacks from Tanzania

Meanwhile, the FDD has denied Burundi government accusations that its troops are mobilising to launch attacks on Burundi from Tanzania. In a statement, received by IRIN on Friday, the FDD described the allegations as "false", aimed at "creating pretexts to justify their [government] chronic dreams of attacking refugee camps in Tanzania and democracy in Tanzania". The statement accused government troops of "massively deploying" in the provinces of Makamba and Rutana, bordering Tanzania.

Regional police commander in Tanzania's Kigoma area Placid Chaka told IRIN on Friday that security officers in Manyovu and Kagunga area did not report any "likely regroupment" of Burundi rebels. "Reports from that area say everything is normal, so if there is any regroupment of rebels for an attack, then it could be in the bushes on the Burundi side," he said. The Net Press agency had reported on Wednesday that nearly 6,000 CNDD and PALIPEHUTU troops were "ready in Tanzanian areas of Manyovu and Kagunga, in Kigoma district, to launch another attack in the southern part of Burundi". It said that the "killers" were undergoing intensive training, and had started recruitment even on Burundi territory, particularly in the communes of Bukemba and Giharo in Rutana province. Burundi army spokesman Colonel Longin Minani recently denied that the security situation was deteriorating. "The rebels carry out attacks to show that they are still around," he said.