According to the government, gunmen attacked a village near Burundi’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 20 people and wounding nine others. The attack, which took place on Friday evening, was claimed by the Reb Tabara rebel group. Government spokesperson Jérôme Niyonzima reported that the victims included 12 children, two pregnant women, and a police officer.
The rebel group, Red Tabara, has been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Burundi’s government since 2015, operating from bases in eastern Congo. Red Tabara claimed on social media to have killed nine soldiers and one police officer in the attack.
Local residents of the village, known as Vugizo, reported hearing sounds of gunfire and explosions during the raid. This is not the first time Red Tabara has carried out acts of violence in Burundi. In September, the group claimed responsibility for attacking and destroying equipment at the country’s international airport in Bujumbura, although no casualties were reported.
The situation in the region remains volatile as the conflict between Red Tabara and the Burundian government continues. The recent attack has once again highlighted the ongoing violence and instability in the area. The Burundian government is expected to take further action in response to the attack.
The international community has also expressed concern over the escalating violence in Burundi. The United Nations and other organizations have called for an end to the conflict and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
With no clear end in sight to the conflict, the people of Burundi continue to suffer from the devastating impact of the violence. The government and rebel groups must work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in order to bring an end to the suffering of the people.
As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring the events in Burundi and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It is imperative that all parties involved in the conflict engage in dialogue and seek a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.
(Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Editing by; Hereward Holland and David Holmes)
