BURUNDI: Rebels spread fighting to northern provinces

BUJUMBURA, 17 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The only remaining Burundian Hutu rebel movement, Front National de Libération (FNL), has for the first time since 1993 intensified its attacks, moving its offensives from the traditional strongholds of Bujumbura Rural and Bubanza provinces to other areas in the north of the country.

National army spokesman Maj Adolphe Manirakiza said FNL attacked an army position in Matongo and Muruta communes, north Kayanza Province, on Tuesday and looted from several families.

The rebels did not kill any civilians but, Manirakiza said, "FNL lost two combatants."

FNL fighting was also reported last week in Musigati Commune, Bubanza Province, near the Kibira Forest. The army pounded the rebels with warplanes; a weapon that Manirakiza said was used because it was difficult to penetrate the forest on the ground and not because the rebel force was powerful.

"We did not want to take risk," he added.

The FNL's lack of strength, Manirakiza said, was evidenced in its reluctance to engage the army in combat.

The UN Mission in Burundi (ONUB), which has deployed military observers, would not comment on the current increase in FNL attacks.

"ONUB observers are still monitoring the situation on the ground," Maj Adama Diop, the ONUB military spokesman, said on Tuesday.

However, he said the FNL could have moved from its traditional strongholds because of pressure by the army.

The Burundian government and the palipehutu-FNL had signed a declaration to stop the hostilities and start negotiations, but they have since accused each other of violating the deal.

[ENDS]