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At Least Five Dead in Market Attack in Burundi


FILE - Burundi's policemen and army forces run after protesters against incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a 3rd term on May 13, 2015 in Bujumbura, May 13, 2015. Officials in Burundi say at least five people were killed and six injured when gunmen opened fire on a market Monday evening.
FILE - Burundi's policemen and army forces run after protesters against incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a 3rd term on May 13, 2015 in Bujumbura, May 13, 2015. Officials in Burundi say at least five people were killed and six injured when gunmen opened fire on a market Monday evening.

Officials in Burundi say at least five people were killed and six injured when gunmen opened fire on a market Monday evening.

Residents in the eastern city of Gisuru say seven criminals fired randomly while running through the market before fleeing.

An official of the Ruyigi province told VOA that five people had been arrested, while the others are suspected to have escaped in the direction of neighboring Tanzania.

Gunshots were also heard in the southern town of Musaga Monday evening. Local police told VOA that multiple people have been brought in for interrogation.

The unidentified gunmen are believed to be associated with exiles in Tanzania led by a former presidential spokesman.The spokesman was fired last year for advising President Pierre Nkurunziza to not seek a third term.

Nkurunziza has ruled the Central African nation since 2005. His re-election last July — which critics call unconstitutional — triggered violence that has killed at least 400 people.

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