OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
19 May - 01 Jun 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Humanitarian Activities
1. WFP emergency food distribution

During 12-18 May, WFP distributed 1,564.485 Mt of food comprising of
1,236.778 Mt of targeted rations distributed to 88,460 persons in Muyinga,
Gitega, Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura Rural provinces, 220.1 Mt for FFW
participants in Ngozi province and 92.13 Mt of food to assist social
centers and HIV/AIDS victims.  A total 609.6 Mt was not distributed due
either to the lack of the Field Security Officer to escort the
distribution teams, or to insecurity.

2. Returnees as at 31 May 2003

UNHCR report 10,732 facilitated and 14,195 spontaneous returnees.  Total:
24,927 Y.T.D.

Security

CNDD-FDD and Palipehutu- FNL rebel attacks and ambushes were reported in
several provinces including Gitega, Bubanza, Ruyigi, Cibitoke, Bujumbura
Rural, Makamba, Mwaro and the capital where the Head of Twinyoni quarter
was killed [31 May] reportedly by FNL rebels (Rwasa).

Alarming acts of violence, household and livestock theft/looting has been
reported:

- Bubanza Province, Bubanza Commune: Thirty cows stolen by armed groups
[31 May].

- Bubanza Province, Gihanga Commune: Two cars burned, two people killed,
one person wounded in Gihanga village following an FNL attack [18 May].

- Gitega Province: Fighting upsurge in the Mubuga (Gitega Commune) and
Nyonga (Taba Commune) areas. The administration report important
civilian's displacement.

- Cankuzo Province: A high CNDD-FDD rebel presence is reported in the
Masengo area.

- Ruyigi Province: Clashes between the CNDD-FDD rebels and Army in Butezi
Commune have caused important population displacement in the town of
Ruyigi.

- Bujumbura town: Two people wounded and medicines looted during an attack
on a military position in Cibitoke area [21 May].

- Congolese refugees: 1,500 of the 3,500 Congolese refugees are living in
the Cishemeye site. Cibitoke province administration demands their
transfer by force.

- Cibitoke Province, Murwi Commune: One person wounded, 20 houses burned,
a lorry transporting 3 tonnes of Coffee destroyed, cows, goats and money
looted in a rebel attack to Muzenga sector, Buhayira area.  The rebels are
from the dissident wing of FNL (Agathon Rwasa) led by Mvuyekure [20 May].

- Bubanza Province: Car ambush in Gihungwe area by CNDD-FDD rebels: one
person killed.

- Bujumbura Rural Province: One person killed and one wounded during a
rebel attack at Nyaruhonga area, Muhuta commune [22 May].

- Bubanza Province: Ruce area displaced people have received food aid from
WFP in Muzinda Commune [22 May].

- Gitega Province, Gishubi Commune: Following recent fighting in Gishubi
Commune, the population of Mugaruro fled to Remera, Bukwavu and Muhagaze
areas (Gishubi Commune)

- Bujumbura Rural Province: One person killed and another wounded in a car
ambush in Mugendo area (Kabezi Commune) [22 May].

- Cankuzo Province: Looting of 40 cows by armed bandits [22 May].

- Cibitoke Province: Transport-car ambush; all passengers' belongings
stolen.  The road was closed for one hour [22 May].

- Mr Diomède Rutamucero, P.A. Amasekanya, Representative, arrested [22
May].

- Kayanza Province, Gitara area (Gishubi Commune) Rebels kill one person
[24 May].

- Gihanga Province: A rebel attack in Gihanga Commune, Village II: 14
bicycles, 4 goats and approximately 120,000 FBU was believed stolen [22
May].

- Muramvya Province: CNDD-FDD attack Busimba sector. Goats and money
stolen [25 May].

- Kayanza Province: Rebel attack claims one person and livestock in Gatara
area [24 May].

- Bujumbura Rural: Combat between FNL rebels and the Army in Masama and
Gitaza areas have caused displacement of civilian population [24 May].
Several thousand people fled insecurity since Friday 23rd May seeking
refuge in Mutambu Commune and Ruziba Zone.

- Makamba Province, Rukambasi Commune: Fighting reported between CNDD-FDD
factions (Peter Nkurunziza and Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye) in Rukambasi
Commune [25 May].

- African Mission for Burundi: The Command is now complete with the
arrival of 11 troops from Mozambique [26 May].

- Quartering: Preparations in progress. Elements from the African Mission
for Burundi are already installed in Buramata hill, Gihanga Commune,
Bubanza Province [27 May].

- Bujumbura Rural Province: Military car ambushed on the Bujumbura-Rumonge
Highway.  No damage was reported but the population temporarily fled the
area [27 May].

- Mines: A twelve-year old child was wounded in a mine explosion in
Mugoboka area, near Mutanga north residential quarter, Bujumbura city [27
May].

- Dialogue and Consultation meeting: President Domitien Ndayizeye met the
officers of the 1st Military Region [27 May].

- Mwaro Province: Two people killed, one wounded in a CNDD-FDD rebels
attack in Kibungere area, Nyabihanga Commune.

- Makamba Province: 10 rebels killed, one rebel captured during fighting
between CNDD-FDD rebels and Army on Rukambasi hill [28 May].

- Bubanza Province: Car ambush on the road Bujumbura-Gihanga. Passengers
transiting to DRC were robbed of all their belongings [28 May].

- Makamba Province: Four people killed during an attack on Nyankara hill
[28 May].


Political

3. President visits Burundi's eastern province of Ruyigi

President Domitien Ndayizeye visited Ruyigi Province, the Vice-President
visited Kayanza Province [31 May].  President Ndayizeye stated that if
CNDD-FDD (Pierre Nkurunziza) refuses to negotiate peace, the other
alternative is to fight them militarily.

4. Latest

UNDP support to the Transitional National Assembly in the form of 17
computers and 137 books provided to the project 'Support to Good
Democratic Governance'.

End of the 7th visit of Ms Marie Thérèse Keita Bocoum, UN Special Envoy
for Human Rights to Burundi: "War must end since it undermines the first
human right which is the right to life".

1st June 2003: Tenth anniversary of Sahwanya FRODEBU Party's victory in
the presidential elections of June 1993.  Dr Jean Minani, FRODEBU
Representative held a media conference [1 June] and called on Burundians
to forget the past.

Thirteenth IMC Ordinary Session launched [19 May].  Ambassador Berharnu
Dinka, IMC Chairman, called on Palipehutu FNL leaders to stop fighting and
pursue a path of dialogue.

European Commission donates US$3 million to Burundi [21 May].

Framework for the Restoration of State of Law (Accord Cadre): Three
members of the framework issued a statement in which they request release
of Mr Diomède Rutamucero (President of P.A. Amasekanya) [24 May].

Burundi Human rights association, Iteka League, demands the release of the
members of "Accord Cadre pour la Restauration de l'Etat de Droit" [28
May].

Coordination

5. Contact group meeting (for the Minutes access: www.ochaburundi.org)

Chaired by Ms Helena Mazarro (OCHA, Head of office a.i) [21 and 28 May].

OCHA finalised the contingency planning review.

For Information

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


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