Two grenades blasted at the main bus station in Bujumbura
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol IV, Issue #178 | Wednesday, May 26, 2021
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Dear Readers,
Two people were killed and several others were injured in grenade explosions that happened on Tuesday evening in Burundi's commercial capital Bujumbura, said the Burundian security ministry quoted by Xinhua.
"One person died on the spot and another one died after being evacuated in a health facility due to grenades blasted by terrorists around 7 p.m. (5 p.m. GMT) in Bujumbura's city center," the ministry said in a tweet, adding that one of the terrorists was injured by his grenade and was arrested.
The two grenades exploded around 7:00 p.m. one at a bus station in the southern part of Bujumbura. “There were a lot of people at the time of the explosion. They were waiting for their bus.” a witness told the local media. Another grenade was thrown at the place known as the Cotebu parking lot; the grenade exploded as people boarded their bus, witnesses said.
Unofficial sources also mention that other grenades were thrown in Ngagara and Mutanga Nord, Media experts expect to learn more throughout the day and get updates from the police, as it was specified that investigations are underway
Early this Wednesday morning, President Evariste Ndayishimiye via his Twitter account said that he is saddened by those who want to take back Burundi through terror. But they realized they had no place, he added
“I offer my condolences to the bereaved families. I wish the wounded a speedy recovery. I urge all Burundians to remain united, and unity is our victory.” he tweeted
Attack amidst UN high-level security meeting for Africa
Burundi is hosting in Bujumbura from May 24 to 28 the 51st permanent consultative meeting of the United Nations in charge of security questions in Central Africa. In this meeting which will be held in Bujumbura from May 24 to 28, four high personalities have already confirmed their presence as indicated by Isidore Ntirampeba, namely:
- the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the United Nations Office for Central Africa,
-The UN Special Representative of MONUSCA in Congo,
-the special representative of the United Nations to the African Union,
-and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Central Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Eight main themes are on the agenda of this meeting:
1.Review of the geopolitical and security situation in Central Africa;
2. Monitoring of the situation in Chad, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea;
3. Violent extremism and Terrorism in Central Africa;
4.Promotion of disarmament in Central Africa
5. Piracy and Maritime Safety in central Africa
6. Thematic debate: Election management (process) in Central Africa
7.Implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Central Africa
8. The human rights situation in Central Africa
After Equatorial Guinea, the presidency of the office is now held by Burundi for the next 6 months.
Bottom line
Commentators this morning, links this attack to the 51st permanent consultative meeting of the United Nations in charge of security questions in Central Africa, happening now in Bujumbura, even though no group has claimed it, speculations grow to mention the link between the recent attack in Muramvya and Mwaro.
Is there a new terror group looking for visibility as African high-level delegates meet in Bujumbura? It is hard to have a clear answer, but as official information unfolds we will share our thoughts and analysis on this matter.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, Editor in Chief | RegionWeek.com
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