Grenade explosion injures 26 in Burundi

An activist wearing a headband reading "Nkurunziza must fall" protests in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on December 18, 2015, against recent killings in neighbouring Burundi by government forces in a crackdown against public dissent to a controversial third-presidential term by currently president. The African Union said on December 17, 2015 it would not allow genocide to take place in Burundi as the United Nations ordered a probe into widespread abuses and warned of looming civil war. Burundi descended into bloodshed in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term, which he went on to win in July, violence in Burundi that has left more than 400 people dead since April. / AFP / TONY KARUMBA

An activist wearing a headband reading "Nkurunziza must fall" protests in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on December 18, 2015, against recent killings in neighbouring Burundi by government forces in a crackdown against public dissent to a controversial third-presidential term by currently president. The African Union said on December 17, 2015 it would not allow genocide to take place in Burundi as the United Nations ordered a probe into widespread abuses and warned of looming civil war. Burundi descended into bloodshed in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term, which he went on to win in July, violence in Burundi that has left more than 400 people dead since April. / AFP / TONY KARUMBA

Published Feb 12, 2016

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Bujumbura - A grenade blast wounded 26 people on Thursday in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, police said.

An attacker threw the grenade from a motorcycle in the central neighbourhood of Buyenzi, according to witnesses.

Police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said nine of the victims were in serious condition.

The East African country has been gripped by political violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April that he would seek a third term in office, and won an election in July.

In New York, the UN Security Council was working on a resolution to strengthen the United Nations' political presence in Burundi, said Matthew Rycroft, British ambassador to the UN, noting that the crisis needs to remain in the forefront following a visit by the council last month.

“It's crucial that part of keeping the spotlight on the issue is about building up the UN presence in Burundi,” Rycroft said.

More than 400 people have been killed in protests, clashes and attacks, while about 240 000 people have fled Burundi, according to the UN.

DPA

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