OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
14 - 20 Apr 2003


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

Humanitarian Activities
1. UNICEF mission to Ruyigi

UNICEF's representative Malick Sene led a mission to Ruyigi on the 17th
April 2003 including the Ambassador of Belgium and his team and
representatives from the French Embassy. The objective of the mission was
to address human rights violations.

UNICEF has also finalized the first Non-Food Items distribution (started
January) in Gisuru (Ruyigi Province). The distribution was made possible
through UNICEF's decentralized stock in Ruyigi and the collaboration with
NGO partners and the UN inter-agency office in Ruyigi.

2. WFP food distributions

UN World Food Programme has distributed 764.6 Mt of food to 72,252
beneficiaries through its various activities. 56,950 beneficiaries
received targeted assistance in Bujumbura Rural, Kayanza and Ruyigi
provinces. Due to insecurity, 3 targeted distributions planned for 29,075
persons in Kabarore commune, Kayanza Province, were not conducted. An
additional 1,520 persons, are to receive 20-day ration food baskets
between April and May (Recommendation from the report by the Household
Food Economy Assessment team, a rapid assessment conducted in Bwambarangwe
commune of Kirundo Province following the hailstorm there). In December
2002, the assessment indicated that 5,400 persons, including repatriates
and crop failure victims, should be receiving food assistance up to June
2003.

3. More influx of Congolese refugees

Fresh influx of Congolese refugees has been reported in the Cibitoke
Province where over 300 Congolese were registered [Tuesday 15 April] on
the site of Cishemeye in Buganda Commune.

4. Returnees as at 12 April 2003

UNHCR (Burundi): Report 7,782 facilitated and 5,999 spontaneous returnees
Y.T.D.

The number of spontaneous returnees continues to increase in Makamba
Province.


Security

5. Fighting increases in several parts of the country

Over the last week [starting Saturday, 12 April], fierce fighting between
the Army and CNDD-FDD rebels was reported throughout the provinces of
Kayanza (Rango and Matongo communes), Gitega (Bugendana, Giheta, Gishubi
communes), Muramvya (Rutegama and Kiganda communes), Ruyigi [at 1:00 AM,
17 April] and Bujumbura Rural (Kanyosha and Isale communes). The CNDD-FDD
rebel attack on a military position [16 April] from Kibuye Zone, Isale
Commune (Province) led to heavy clashes with the Army, which resulted in
the displacement of several thousands of people, mostly from Kanyosha
Commune.

Starting Thursday early morning, a total of 32 shells was launched on the
capital from the hills surrounding Bujumbura the capital Musaga Zone [29
rockets] and Rohero neighbourhood [3 rockets]. Official sources report 3
people killed [2 from Musaga, 1 from Rohero neighbourhood], several
wounded and 6 houses damaged. The attack has been claimed by CNDD-FDD
(Pierre Nkurunziza), putting forward the non implementation of the
ceasefire accord by the Transitional National Government [Communique
issued 15 April]. In a news conference [17 April], Colonel Augustin
Nzabampema, Army Spokesperson, told the journalists that, "it is an
escalation in the ceasefire agreement violation," [17 April]. The attack
is said launched together with FNL (Agathon Rwasa). CNDD-FDD rebels also
led a bomb attack on the brewery of Gitega, BRAGITA. Despite damage
estimated at 100 millions FBu Mr Michel Ndabashinze, BRAGITA Manager,
asserts that "Production will continue."

6. General

Kayanza Province, Matongo Commune: Four killed (civilians), several houses
reportedly burnt in a rebel attack [16 April] at Ngoro Zone.

Cibitoke Province, Buganda Commune: A minibus was ambushed on National
Highway 5. Several people said wounded, money and other property looted
[14 April]. Over 60 houses burnt leaving over 300 people to sleep in the
open air.

Bujumbura Rural province, Mugongomanga Commune: Livestock stolen
reportedly by Palipehutu-FNL rebels (Agathon Rwasa) [night of 12 April].

Makamba Province, Nyanza-Lac Commune: 4 vehicles ambushed by CNDD-FDD
rebels (reportedly from Pierre Nkurunziza's ranks) [17 April]: 2 wounded,
property looted.


Political

7. First AU peacekeepers to arrive in Burundi

"A preliminary contingent of the African Force will arrive on 24 April and
towards the end of May forces will be deployed that will allow one or two
cantonment sites (for rebels) to be

made secure," senior defence ministry official told media. However, the
ceasefire signed with the main CNDD-FDD rebel group has been violated
repeatedly.

8. Appointment of the Vice-President for the second Transition phase

Talks started Tuesday [15 April] in the G10 political family continued
till Wednesday [16 April] without reaching consensus. The parties agreed
to refer to the constitution law. Prior to this, President Buyoya had
written to parties within the G10 family urging them to end discussions by
18 April to allow the approval by the parliamentary congress between 21
and 23 April 2003 [Burundi news agency, ABP, 16 April].

9. African Union military observers deployed across Burundi.

Military observers mandated by the African Union have been deployed in
various parts of the country; AFP reported quoting an AU official, Tuesday
[15 April]. "Although some of these observers were dispatched two weeks
ago, the mission is not yet operational," said Colonel Dridi Amor, Burundi
Observer Mission (MIOB) military adviser.

10. Latest Events

Members of PA Amasekanya movement voiced protest [13 April] against the
presence of foreign soldiers.

Parliament passed the law against genocide [15 April]: 128 for, 3 against
and 26 abstentions. "It is a thrust ...; This law is not applicable,
neither for the past genocide, nor for the present genocide," stated Mr
Venant Bamboneyeho, AC genocide President, disappointed [15 April].

The Transitional National Assembly massively voted for the law on the
Truth and Reconciliation National Commission: 140 for, 1 abstention [16
April].

5 rebels [reportedly from Pierre Nkurunziza's CNDD-FDD faction] have been
captured [12 April] at Baraka, DRCongo by RCD-Goma rebel movement
combatants.

Members of the UN Security Council welcome the adoption of the law on the
punishment of crimes of genocide [Press statement SC/7734].

World Bank grants 14m US$ to Burundi [17 April].


Coordination

11. Contact Group Meeting (for the Minutes access: www.ochaburundi.org)

Chaired by Ms Helena Mazarro, OCHA head office a.i. 41 attended [16
April].

Mr Mechmach Mohamed (ACF), Kayanza Province focal point, presented the
minutes of the meeting [3 April].

World Health Organisation presented the epidemiology statistics for March
2003.

12. GTS

Ms Danielle Lustig, (OCHA, co-president of GTS) chaired the Monday meeting
[14 April].  Mr Ignace Ntawembarira, Bujumbura Rural Province Governor
attended.


For Information

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


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