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Burundi Troops Clash With Rebels Amid Peace Talks
The Burundian government forces have clashed with the rebels in the northern suburbs of the capital Bujumbura, reported Tuesday the Rwanda News Agency.
The clash has led to the death, and the fleeing of the civilians, said the agency, adding the rebels are taking up positions in abandoned houses less than 16 kilometers from the capital and fired on the government positions.
Thousands of civilians, mostly women and children carrying their belongings, have fled the poor Hutu suburbs of Kinama and Kamenge near the capital, parts of which at least have been occupied by the rebels.
"This is the beginning of a huge offensive ..., we are advancing and are going to take the town.'' a rebel leader told the agency via phone.
The government army, however, said the area is still in its control and is pushing the rebels back.
The agency quoted witnesses as saying that at least 14 civilians and five soldiers had died in the fighting, while the army talked of at least 10 rebels dead and three soldiers.
The fighting took place as former South African President Nelson Mandela briefed regional leaders in Arusha in neighboring Tanzania on efforts to secure a ceasefire to end Burundi's seven- year civil war.
Mandela has been trying to convince the 19 political parties, the government and the Tutsi-dominated army to accept a power- sharing agreement, but apparently failed to win a ceasefire from the country's Hutu rebels, who have been boycotting the talks.
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