Hutu rebels renew attack

2003-07-10 11:05

Bujumbura - Hutu rebels in Burundi on Thursday renewed their offensive on the capital Bujumbura with a furious attack in the south of the city, a day after mortar fire killed at least two people, an AFP correspondent reported.

After a night of calm, rebels from the Hutu National Liberation Forces (FNL) launched a massive assault on Bujumbura, with sustained shooting, mortar fire and grenade explosions echoing around the capital.

"They (the rebels) have received a lot of reinforcements in the night and they are attacking us with force," a Burundian army officer said on condition of anonymity.

The FNL did not sign the country's ceasefire pact in December and has vowed to continue the three day old offensive until President Domitien Ndayizeye steps down.

The FNL has steadfastly refused to hold talks with the government, even under Ndayizeye, a Hutu, who took over as president from Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, in April for the second 18 months of an interim power-sharing regime.

The army and the government have accused the FNL of teaming up with Burundi's largest Hutu rebel group, the Forces for Defence and Deomocracy (FDD).

However, the FDD - which was one of three rebel groups to sign the ceasefire pact - has denied the charges, saying it does not share the rival group's objectives.

- AFX