The grenade attacks in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura which left two people killed last night were targeting to disrupt an ongoing UN security meeting, officials have revealed to this website.
The grenades exploded in several parts of the city including bus park and Cotebu Market.
No group had claimed responsibility for the incident.
The ruling party Cndd-FDD strongly condemned what it described as “these acts of terrorism on peaceful citizens of Bujumbura.”
The party expressed its “condolences to the families of the victims and speedy recovery to the injured” and called for the punishment of the perpetrators of the attacks in accordance with the law.”
Burundi’s Interior Ministry said, “Terrorism by throwing grenades in Bujumbura occurred around 7:00pm.”
The statement issued by the Ministry indicated that two people died (one on scene at the former central market and another after evacuation) while the wounded were evacuated to health care centers.
One of the perpetrators of the attacks was arrested, officials said.
Burundi’s enemies planned the attacks to disrupt the 51st meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee in charge of Security issues in Central Africa which kicked off on Monday in Bujumbura and running until Friday.
The meeting has been attended by the delegates from the 11 Member States
The agenda includes in particular is to the review of the geopolitical and security situation, the promotion of disarmament, maritime security, the human rights situation in Central Africa.
“Our enemies are not happy to see the country hosting such a high profile meeting. They want to portray the country as very unsafe like in the past,” a top official said.
The officials speaking to this website asked not to be named because of diplomacy.
Another high ranking official said that Burundi’s enemies are having sleepless nights considering that European Union (EU) is soon lifting sanctions.
“Those enemies both internal and external are fighting to see that Burundi remains unstable,” she said.
Asked who are the external enemies the official said Bujumbura couldn’t rule out Kigali’s intervention in the grenade attacks.
“Although I can’t confirm their participation we think Rwanda has a hand,” she added.
An official said that security is grilling the arrested terrorist and more details will be provided to the media.
Rwanda and Burundi have nursed tensions with either side accusing the other of sponsored invasions.
2 days ago Rwanda claims it had foiled attacks from unidentified gunmen from Burundi.
No official in Rwanda could be reached to respond to these allegations.