Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - The Chief of Staff of the Burundian army, General Prime Niyongabo, escaped this morning, September 11, an attack in the capital, Bujumbura.
The convoy of the general was attacked by a heavily armed commando. In the shootout with his escort, at least 7 people were killed. We are talking about two members of the commando (a third was captured), 4 military escorts and a police officer who was in a police car behind which the General’s car sought protection.
General Niyongabo was unhurt, unlike the other man of the regime, General Adolphe Nshimirimana, former head of the SNR security services, killed in a road ambush always in the center of Bujumbura (see Fides 03/08/2015). In both cases the assailants were traveling in military uniform on a military vehicle. According to sources of the security services, the men of the commando who carried out the attack this morning are military in service.
This confirms what had been reported to Agenzia Fides by local sources (see Fides 06/07/2015), according to which "The divisions on the third term of President Pierre Nkurunziza can also be seen in the army and police. The military represent 80% of those contrary to the third term of incumbent President while among the police this percentage drops to 60%". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/09/2015)
