MISNA
Burundi
11.16.00
Violent fighting between government troops and rebels was reported over the weekend in the Rural Bujumbura province. As referred to the MISNA by reliable South African sources (who will remain anonymous), the area of Tenga was once again at the epicentre of the violent exchange of heavy fire and missiles launched from the suburbs of Bujumbura. For the moments there are no confirmations on the exact death toll. The most worrying news - explained our sources - is that the government troops yesterday began forcedly recruiting youths and adults in various neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Bujumbura, including Kinama and Gasenyi, as well as the communal suburb of Isale. Widespread panic has seized the civil population, which for the most part is attempting to abandon the area for fear of being recruited. Burundi has been theatre to a devastating civil was since October of 1993, when the nation's first elected President Melchior Ndadaye was killed. Peace talks opened in June of 1998 in Arusha (Tanzania) for a resolution to the conflict are still underway. (BO)