Burundi Government

The African Union will not deploy peacekeepers to troubled Burundi unless the government in Bujumbura agrees, the AU special representative for the region told French radio RFI today.

Burundi police said today they were holding two respected foreign journalists as they reported on gunmen opposed to the government in the volatile nation.

Burundi's government on Saturday rejected the African Union's plans to deploy a 5,000-strong peacekeeping force to stop escalating violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's extended tenure in office, a government spokesman said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Wednesday for urgent talks to avert civil war in Burundi as the central African country defended the actions of its security forces and rejected any idea of stationing foreign troops on its soil.

Seventy-nine "enemies" and eight government soldiers died during and after Friday's coordinated attacks on three military bases in Burundi, an army spokesman said today.

An eye witness says 21 people have been found shot dead in a neighborhood of Burundi's capital after the government said an unidentified group carried out coordinated attacks on three military installations elsewhere.

Gunmen have shot dead at least seven people in an attack on a bar in the Burundi capital, forcing them lie on the ground before executing them, government officials said today.

It started as street protests three months ago, with furious citizens demonstrating against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza's now successful bid for a third term in power.

A top Burundian general and right-hand man to President Pierre Nkurunziza was killed in a rocket attack on his car on Sunday, prompting fears of further instability in the crisis-hit country.

Burundi's leading opposition politician called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to hold talks with rivals and form a national unity government after a disputed election, saying it could help avert a new conflict in the poor African nation.

On the eve of highly-charged elections, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the government of Burundi to ensure that voting takes place in a secure environment.

The United States said Friday it was suspending assistance for Burundi's elections because of the leader of the African nation's "continued efforts to violate" a peace accord.

Burundi's government defied opposition demands Tuesday for President Pierre Nkurunziza to end a third-term bid for power, as the UN warned the country risked being "catapulted" back into civil war.

Burundi's government insisted Friday that the first stage of controversial elections will go ahead next week despite the central African nation's ongoing political crisis.

Burundi's government was, today, accused of launching a campaign of repression against independent media, the day after loyalist troops defeated an attempted coup against the African nation's president.

The African Union will not deploy peacekeepers to troubled Burundi unless the government in Bujumbura agrees, the AU special representative for the region told French radio RFI today.

Burundi police said today they were holding two respected foreign journalists as they reported on gunmen opposed to the government in the volatile nation.

Burundi's government on Saturday rejected the African Union's plans to deploy a 5,000-strong peacekeeping force to stop escalating violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's extended tenure in office, a government spokesman said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Wednesday for urgent talks to avert civil war in Burundi as the central African country defended the actions of its security forces and rejected any idea of stationing foreign troops on its soil.

Seventy-nine "enemies" and eight government soldiers died during and after Friday's coordinated attacks on three military bases in Burundi, an army spokesman said today.

An eye witness says 21 people have been found shot dead in a neighborhood of Burundi's capital after the government said an unidentified group carried out coordinated attacks on three military installations elsewhere.

Gunmen have shot dead at least seven people in an attack on a bar in the Burundi capital, forcing them lie on the ground before executing them, government officials said today.

It started as street protests three months ago, with furious citizens demonstrating against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza's now successful bid for a third term in power.

A top Burundian general and right-hand man to President Pierre Nkurunziza was killed in a rocket attack on his car on Sunday, prompting fears of further instability in the crisis-hit country.

Burundi's leading opposition politician called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to hold talks with rivals and form a national unity government after a disputed election, saying it could help avert a new conflict in the poor African nation.

On the eve of highly-charged elections, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the government of Burundi to ensure that voting takes place in a secure environment.

The United States said Friday it was suspending assistance for Burundi's elections because of the leader of the African nation's "continued efforts to violate" a peace accord.

Burundi's government defied opposition demands Tuesday for President Pierre Nkurunziza to end a third-term bid for power, as the UN warned the country risked being "catapulted" back into civil war.

Burundi's government insisted Friday that the first stage of controversial elections will go ahead next week despite the central African nation's ongoing political crisis.

Burundi's government was, today, accused of launching a campaign of repression against independent media, the day after loyalist troops defeated an attempted coup against the African nation's president.