Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides)-“At the moment the situation in Bujumbura is quiet ” local sources in the capital of Burundi, told Fides the day after the killing of general Adolphe Nshimirimana, considered second in command in the regime of President Pierre Nkurunziza, re-elected for a third mandate on 21 July in elections said by UN Mission observers to be “neither credible, nor free, nor inclusive”.
“General Nshimirimana, former secret service chief, was in charge of all security in the country, and he was also commander of the Presidential Military, which has carried out attacks on the Opposition ” our sources recall. The candidature of Nkurunziza for a third mandate was a violation of the Constitution and triggered serious a political crisis, with Opposition media closed by the authorities, a failed military coup, and the return of the armed Opposition groups .
“In Burundi people wonder who committed the murder. For some it was a clash within the ruling power , others say rebel groups are to blame ” say Fides’ sources. “However the modality of the attack would seem to point to the army . The attackers used an army pick-up and powerful weaponry. They organised an ambush in central Bujumbura at 8am., thus demonstrating ability to move freely around the capital ” conclude our local sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/8/2015)
