Violence increases before Burundi elections

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — At least two people were killed in overnight attacks that they think were carried out by Burundian police, witnesses said Sunday as the country prepared for legislative elections despite an upsurge in violence.

Witnesses in the Jabe neighborhood in the nation’s capital of Bujumbura reported intense gunfire Saturday night in an apparent police crackdown on areas seen as hosting anti-government protesters

Mohamed Masumbuko said his brother, Masumbuko Prime Abdul, was killed in a grenade attack, his “face completely shredded.” He blamed the police for the attack on his neighborhood.

Another victim, Patrick Ndikumana, was hit by a bullet and then killed in a grenade attack, according to witness Joshua Ngendakumana.

It was not immediately possible to get a comment from the police, who have previously blamed an escalation of violence on protesters opposed to a third term for President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place Monday despite calls from the international community for the polls to be postponed until the country is peaceful enough. The government insists an indefinite postponement of the elections would create a dangerous political vacuum that might lead to even more chaos.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about the government’s insistence on going ahead with the elections “despite the prevailing political and security environment,” according to a statement released Sunday.