Thousands reportedly fleeing rebel attacks in Bujumbura Rurale

Rebels of the Forces Nationales de liberation (FNL) who attacked the Bujumbura suburb of Kinama earlier this month have retreated to communes in Bujumbura Rurale, where thousands of people are said to be fleeing fighting, the Agence burundaise de presse (ABP) reported. It quoted commune administrators who said the rebels had been “driven out” of Kinama by the army and had arrived in Mutimbuzi, Mubimbi, Isale and Kanyosha. Health centres and schools were closed for a while and the rebels are said to be recruiting in the communes “to make up for the losses they suffered in Kinama”. Burundi’s Radio Publique Africaine said 20,000 people had fled the fighting and were living in “very poor conditions”. Mortar fire can be heard, the radio added.