OCHA-Burundi Situation Report 11 - 17 Aug 2003

HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES
1. Jesuit Refugee Service robbed/threatened at gunpoint

On Sunday evening during mass (6:30pm) 8 JRS expatriates were held at gunpoint in their Bujumbura residence (Gatoke neighbourhood) by six men (including a driver and look-out person) aged 20-40 years, and wielding two pistols, one Kalashnikov and an assault rifle (all wearing civilian clothing). Speaking in French and English the invaders threaten to kill the National Representative of the JRS (Father Pierre Vincent de Marcillac) and demanded they (JRS) hand over all their money and valuables.

The invaders, unsatisfied with their takings, locked six expatriates in a bathroom, forcing the National Director and another expatriate to drive them to their JRS office to access their safe (located less than 2kms away on Avenue 28 November, past a gendarmerie post and opposite a major army residence). One of the invaders declared he was a Lieutenant in the Burundian Army on "mission". He added, "that the Security Services know that the JRS gave money to the rebels". The invaders fled with the equivalent of US$20,000, one computer, an airplane ticket and five mobile telephones. Although no one was injured, the psychological impact on those present, mainly volunteers, is of grave concern.

2. Bujumbura Rural displaced people receive food assistance

A total of 11,970 displaced persons from Mutambu Commune (Bujumbura Rural) received a 30-day food ration amounting to 194.05 Mt. from UN World Food Programme (WFP) [12 and 13 August]. Initially planned for Monday and Tuesday, this distribution was postponed due to bad road conditions to Mubone (distribution point), which made the passage of heavy trucks impossible. In agreement with local administration, it has been decided to change the distribution point to be able to assist the displaced population. The distributions took place on Tuesday and Wednesday [12 - 13 August] at Kinima School, about 2.5 km from Mubone.

The vulnerable population of Mutambu commune had previously been assisted in April and in June 2003. Following the attacks on Bujumbura Mairie, the rebels moved toward Mutambu commune where intense fighting between the army and the rebels occurred. This caused about 4,990 IDPs which received 82.3 Mt of food assistance as a 30-days ration on the 22 and 23 of July 2003.

3. IDPs receive meningitis vaccine

After two confirmed cases of Meningitis were reported from the camp for Internally Displaced People in Kivoga, UNICEF (supported by DFID) provided vaccines to MSF Switzerland who conducted the vaccination of approximately 6,000 people in the camp in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

4. Returnees as at 27 July 2003

UNHCR: Report 15,716 facilitated, 27,399 spontaneous returnees. Total: 43,113 Y.T.D.

SECURITY

5. General

Theft of livestock and money continued in Bubanza, Rutana, Gitega and Kayanza provinces [12 August]. One civilian reportedly killed by armed bandits in Butezi, Kayanza Commune.

FNL-Palipehutu rebels led attacks on a military position of Nyamaboko, Kanyosha Commune, Bujumbura Rural Province [10 August] killing one soldier. One policeman has also been killed in an attack reportedly led by FNL-Palipehutu (Agathon Rwasa) near a police post at Kibenga, Kinindo Zone, Bujumbura Mairie [11 August].

Two civilians were killed in an ambush laid by unidentified gunmen between Nyamitanga and Kagwema, Buganda Commune, Cibitoke Province [11 August].

Congolese refugees (98) have arrived in Cibitoke Province [since 13 August].

POLITICAL

6. Food distribution to CNDD-FDD resumes

Food distribution to CNDD-FDD (Pierre Nkurunziza) resumed on Wednesday [13 August] after a six-month suspension, Army Spokesman Augustin Nzabampema told IRIN. Four trucks from the German aid agency GTZ escorted by a unit of the African Union troops - South African- and observers from the African Union (AU) delivered 45 MT of food supplies (comprising beans, rice, palm oil, flour and salt) purchased by the European Union (EU), to Kayange, in the commune of Musigati (Bubanza Province), close to Kibira Forest. Food aid distribution is expected to continue in Ruyigi Province. Local reporters were reportedly prohibited from covering the food distribution.

7. Burundi peace talks delayed

A meeting between Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and Pierre Nkurunziza, leader of the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), was due to take place Wednesday and Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa has been postponed, rebel sources said until Wednesday 13 August. An FDD spokesman, Major Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, said that Nkurunziza had left Burundi on Monday and was en route to South Africa where he was due by the weekend. "He is expected to meet President Ndayizeye in Pretoria, but we have not heard of any date yet," Ndabirabe added. The talks will focus on what posts the FDD might hold within Burundi's transition government, notably in security and defence bodies.

8. Latest events

Mr Wenceslas Nahimana, PSD (Social Democratic Party) MP, and Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Group Against Genocide and Exclusion, asserts that the power-sharing recommended during the Dar-Es-Salaam consultations may be contrary to the ethnic balance apportioned for within the Arusha Agreement.

Netherlands Minister for Cooperation visited Burundi [8-10 August]. The Netherlands believe that it is still too early to recommence direct cooperation with Burundi.

Division emerges within the People's Party - PP Party: Mr Sylvestre Marola (MP), PP Party Secretary General, convened a National Congress which Mr Shadrack Niyonkuru, People's Party Legal Representative ignores. "There is no splitting of the Party, I'm the only one who can engage the Party, who can convene a national congress..." said Mr Shadrack Niyonkuru.

The US State Department has lifted the travel ban for their diplomats to Burundi. The United States evacuated non-essential staff from Bujumbura during the FNL attacks in July.

On Saturday [16 August] the President and Vice-President, Domitien Ndayizeye and Alphonse Marie Kadege met an emissary from the US government, Ambassador Southwick, with whom they discussed the country's ongoing peace process.

On Sunday [17 August] President Ndayizeye met a Canadian special envoy with whom he also discussed the ongoing peace process in Burundi as well as Canada's contribution.

COORDINATION

9. Contact Group Meeting

Mr Malik Sene, Humanitarian Coordinator a.i and UNICEF Representative chaired the meeting [13 August]. Participants: 27.

World Health Organisation (WHO) gave an update on the meningitis epidemic in Ninga (village IV), Gihanga Commune, Bubanza Province.

10. GTS meeting

Held on Monday [11 August]. Discussions included preparation of a visit to Kayanza scheduled 20-21 August.

For Information: Nicholas McGowan, Head of Information, PH: (257) 951 681, Email: mcgowann@un.org