87 People Found Dead After Attacks In Burundi: Witness

A Burundian army official says 87 people were killed in violence Friday when three military installations were attacked by armed men.

Army spokesman Col Gaspard Baratuza said today eight security officers were among those killed and 21 others wounded in the fighting. Baratuza said forces arrested 45 members of the unidentified group that attacked the military installations.

Residents of Burundi's capital said that security forces searched houses and dragged out some people and shot them, some with their hands tied behind their backs.

The violence is associated with the disputed third term of President Pierre Nkurunziza, that many Burundians and the international community have opposed saying it's unconstitutional.

``I fear I can be killed like my friend yesterday, police came to search our house and by chance I escaped. If I had money, I would go buy a passport and flee,'' said Fidele Muyobera,22, who works as household help.

``What is the international community waiting for? Will they intervene when there are no more people in Burundi?'' asked businessman Gerald Bigirimana in Nyakabiga while pointing at one of the bodies lying on the streets.

The body of a 14-year-old boy was found in the Jabe neighborhood, the witness said. James Ntunzwenimana was shot dead while going to buy sugar, the witness said who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared for his safety.

Six more bodies were found in Musaga, where the military said their installation was attacked, though residents said more bodies had been taken away by security forces.

Three soldiers were killed in the pre-dawn raid Friday by an unidentified group in the Ngagara, Musaga and Mujejuru areas, said two soldiers who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals. The army killed 12 of the attackers and 20 others were arrested, including one who was wounded and is being treated at a military hospital, army spokesman Col. Gaspard Baratuza told state radio.

The United States has however released a statement saying, it is ``deeply alarmed'' by the violence in Bujumbura. The U.S. called on neighboring countries to start urgent negotiations between Burundi's government and the opposition to defuse the situation.