Fighting took place on Nyankere Hill, where "13 corpses of armed bandits were found and another one of them was arrested", said Jean-Pierre Niyongabo, a local administrator. One police officer had been killed and a civilian and another police officer were injured, he added. The fighting broke out 30 kilometres (18 miles) east of Bujumbura, the country's economic capital, in a rural area with few roads, communications or electricity.

Niyongabo said none of the attackers were recognised by residents in Mutambu. Two witnesses also confirmed the clashes, saying some Imbonerakure, or members of the youth league of the ruling CNDD-FDD ruling party, were in ranks alongside the police.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2020