Background Briefing

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FDD and Government Cooperation in Bujumbura Rural

In waging war against the FNL, FDD combatants and government soldiers cooperate in ways that are varied and poorly defined on the ground.  The Burundian army brought in thousands of soldiers, including some from the provinces of Muramvya and Ruyigi (24th battalion).14 In addition to fixed outposts, government soldiers operated in mobile units, many of them new to the region. To the government forces were added hundreds and perhaps thousands of FDD combatants.  Burundian army vehicles provided transport and delivered food to the FDD, commanders exchanged visits and soldiers drank together. On occasion the forces launched joint operations for combat and pillage.15 But troops did not operate in the integrated military units that had been foreseen by the power-sharing accords of late 2003.16 Burundian army troops and FDD combatants, for example, occupied separate positions and wounded FDD combatants reportedly were not treated at the Bujumbura  military hospital.

In such places as Mubimbi, Isale, Kanyosha, and Nyabiraba communes, the FDD chased away the FNL and civilians whom they took for FNL supporters.  According to residents their message was, “FNL control is finished now.”17 FDD leaders publicly denied their presence in Bujumbura rural, perhaps reluctant to acknowledge their role in combat against another Hutu-led force.  But in interviews with Human Rights Watch researchers and others, high-ranking FDD officers did not contest the FDD presence in the area.18  In Rushubi, Isale commune, some FDD officers told local people that they had eight military posts with 740 combatants in that commune.19

                       



[14] Human Rights Watch interviews, Bujumbura, November 27, 2003 and Rushubi, March 19, 2004.

[15] Trucks of the government army reportedly delivered food to FDD positions at Rushubi and Mbare Gasarara. Human Rights Watch interview, Bujumbura, March 17, 2004.

[16] Article 6, Pretoria Protocol of October 8, 2003, known as the Comprehensive Accord of cease fire and power sharing adopted on 16 November 2003. In a first joint training exercise, 400 FDD combatants moved to Bururi military camp on March 16, 2004 to be trained with 800 Burundian army soldiers for a unit meant to replace forces now protecting political institutions (Unité de Sécurité des Institutions).

[17] Human Rights Watch interview, Rushubi, March 19, 2004.

[18] Human Rights Watch interviews, Bujumbura, February 25and April 14, 2004.

[19] Human Rights Watch interview, Rushubi, March 19, 2004.


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