Six killed in northern Burundi gun attack

By Our Correspondent, KAYANZA Burundi

Unknown attackers shot and killed six people in northern Burundi, an official said on Friday.

The attack happened just weeks after a similar attack was reported in a southern province.

The group launched the attack in Kayanza province on Thursday night from the Kibira forest, the regional governor said, and fled to the same area after the attack.

“They arrived at a small center… killed six people including two kids studying in primary school II and V,” Remy Cishahayo, army colonel and governor of Kayanza province, said on state-owned National Radio Television of Burundi.

Two people were wounded and were receiving treatment, while the attackers kidnapped one person, Cishahayo said.

The forest in the past has served as cover for the ruling CNDDFDD – The National Council for the Defence of Democracy, Forces for the Defence of Democracy party – during its rebellion.

The center attacked on Thursday is near the forest.

“People should stay calm and united ensuring security together,” Cishahayo said, adding the situation has returned to normalcy.

The East African nation of 11 million people is one of the world’s poorest countries. It became an international pariah after then-President Pierre Nkurunziza crushed protests triggered by his decision to run for a third term in 2015.

Evariste Ndayishimiye took over in June following the sudden death of his predecessor. - Africa