Burundi president urges unity after assassination attempt against army chief

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has called for the unity of the army following Friday's assassination attempt against Army Chief of Staff Major General Prime Niyongabo, the Burundian president's office said Saturday.

"The president (of Burundi) condemns the assassination attempt against the army chief of staff that left human lives. The president sends condolences to the families of victims. This kind of attack intends to create divisions within security forces," said Burundian President's Deputy-Spokesman Louis Kamwenubusa in a statement.

Nkurunziza called on security and defense forces to remain "united" in order to avoid "falling into the enemy's trap," said Kamwenubusa.

The president gave one week to judicial officials to identify and arrest the gunmen who attempted to assassinate the army chief of staff.

At least six persons were killed during the ambush on Friday against the convoy of the army chief at Kinindo in the capital Bujumbura.

Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza said the six victims include two assailants, three soldiers and a civilian killed by stray bullets who worked at the security ministry.

Baratuza said the army chief was unharmed, adding that an assailant was injured and captured while six soldiers were also injured during the ambush.

According to him, five guns of different types were seized from the unidentified gunmen's hands.

The assassination attempt against the army chief followed the assassination of Lieutenant General Adolphe Nshimirimana, former intelligence chief, in Kamenge neighborhood in the capital Bujumbura on Aug. 2.

Just one day later, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, chief of a local rights group society, escaped an assassination attempt at Kinama on his way home at Carama in the north of the capital Bujumbura.

On Aug. 15, former army chief of staff Colonel Jean Bikomagu was killed near his home at Kabondo in the capital Bujumbura.

Source: XINHUA