Army spokesman outlines security situation around country

The security situation is satisfactory in half of the northern part of Burundi, army spokesman Col Augustin Nzabampema said on Wednesday, but warned that in Bujumbura and Bujumbura-Rural province of western Burundi, armed robberies continue, especially on the periphery of the capital, with Buterere, Kinama and Kamenge zones currently the most insecure places, Burundi news agency ABP reported. In Cibitoke province of northwestern Burundi, Nzabampema spoke of “frank cooperation” among the administration, population and security forces, noting last week’s “neutralisation” of 200 assailants who attempted to infiltrate the province from the DRC.

In Bubanza province of northwestern Burundi, Nzabampema spoke of infiltration attempts by armed groups in communes bordering Kibira and Rukoko in the communes of Musigati and Gihanga, while in provinces of the central and eastern parts of the country, he reported a situation of prevailing security but emphasised that armed thefts continued near the Kibira forest, notably in the provinces of Muramvya in west-central Burundi and Kayanza in northern Burundi. As for Lake Tanganyika, Nzabampema reported that on 4 September a Tanzanian ship called “Muongozi” was shot at by armed groups but was able to continue its journey to Kigoma.