in

1 dead, dozens injured in Burundi grenade attacks

(File, AP)

Nairobi – At least one person was killed and a dozen injured in a series of grenade attacks in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura on Friday, police and official sources said.

The violence put an end to three weeks of relative calm after December 11 attacks on three military bases which left 87 dead, according to an official tally, although UN sources estimate the toll was far higher.

“A grenade was thrown into a bar late on Thursday in the central district of Buyenzi, said police spokesperson Pierre Nkurikiye, adding that 10 had been injured in the attack.

A source said one person had died and that the bar was a regular haunt of members of the ruling party.

Nkurikiye said three policemen were also hurt in two other attacks in the city, where residents reported hearing shots and grenade blasts for around an hour in the early hours of Friday.

He added police would tackle any upsurge in violence after last year saw a failed coup in May amid unrest which sparked fears of a return to civil war.

Tensions rose after President Pierre Nkurunziza said he was seeking a controversial third term, which he went on to win in July.

UN sources estimate last year’s unrest prompted about 200 000 people to leave the country.

Written by PH

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Baga is a ghost town one year after Boko Haram massacre

35 years in jail for Zim rhino poacher