Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Fides Service) - The situation in Burundi is still one of insecurity despite the announcement on 5 January that the FNL National Liberation Front rebels were ready to meet President Domitien Ndayizeye to start peace talks. At the same time there were reports of violent clashes between the FNL and regular army backed by the FDD Forces for the Defence of Democracy rebel group which already signed an agreement with the government and is now marching alongside the national army. At least 5,000 civilians were forced to flee their homes because of fierce fighting near Mariza in Bururi province 60 km from Bujumbura.
The FNL has been indicated from various sides as responsible for the murder of the Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, Archbishop Michael Aidan Courtney, mortally wounded during a car ambush on 29 December 2003. “It is necessary to wait for the results of the official enquiry before we can attribute with certainty responsibility for the crimes committed against Archbishop Courtney” local sources told Fides Service
The same local sources also confirmed that the ambush of the Apostolic Nuncio was the work of professional gunmen. “The shots fired at the car (with diplomatic number plate and Vatican flag) were all directed towards the seat occupied by the Papal Representative. There could be no mistake about who was the target since, as always, Archbishop Courtney was wearing his white cassock and purple scull cap”.
“The murder of the Nuncio and fresh outbreak of fighting come just as Burundi was seeing welcome signs of peace” Fides’ sources said. “After the agreement signed between the government and FDD rebels in November 2003, the international community decided to increase economic and humanitarian assistance to Burundi. In fact on 13 and 14 January donor countries will meet in Brussels to discuss how and where aid will be given. Our hope is that the FNL will join the peace camp so that the country can at last concentrate on its development” the sources told Fides Service. (L.M.) (Fides Service 7/1/2004, lines 31 words 373)
