Top Burundi official escapes assassination bid

NAIROBI, Kenya – A top Burundian government official narrowly survived an assassination attempt in the capital Bujumbura on Friday, November 27, police said, with gunmen killing his bodyguard as they opened fire on his convoy.

A presidential advisor and a top member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, Zenon Ndaruvukanye is one of the most influential figures in the government of the troubled central African nation.

Senior police official said two “criminals” were arrested and a large haul of weapons seized following the attack in Bujumbura, including 27 AK-47 rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and a mortar.

Burundi descended into violence in April after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a now successful bid for a 3rd consecutive term in office, despite concerns over the legality of such a move. At least 240 people have been killed and more than 200,000 have fled the country since.

Presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho confirmed an assassination attempt on a “political figure.”

In August, top general Adolphe Nshimirimana – widely seen as the country’s de-facto internal security chief – was killed in a rocket attack. In September, army chief Prime Niyongabo escaped an ambush. 

Armed clashes between gunmen and security forces are a near daily event. On Thursday, a civilian and a policeman were killed in a grenade attack, while at least 6 people were killed Tuesday and Wednesday in separate clashes across the capital. – Rappler.com