BUJUMBURA, Burundi, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Clashes between two rival factions of the National Forces of Liberation -- or FNL -- in Burundi have left 21 people dead.
FNL members loyal to leader Agathon Rwasa fought in Bujambura Monday against dissidents who said they are seeking peace, Burundi Realites reported Wednesday.
The newspaper said all of the dead are believed to be dissidents. Many of the surviving dissidents have sought out national police protection at the headquarters of Buterere commune.
The two factions began fighting Sunday, causing many people to evacuate their homes. No one was killed in the initial fighting and many people began returning to their homes Tuesday.
The Burundi army said the fighting is part of an internal FNL conflict the government is barred from interfering with under terms of a ceasefire agreement. However, the newspaper said the government is taking the side of the dissidents.
