At least 15 dead as rebels attack southern Burundi

At least 15 people are reported to have been killed when gunmen carried out an attack in southern Burundi.

The fighting in Bugarama district in Rumonge province began on Sunday and continued into Monday, forcing people to flee their homes and hide in the bush.

In a post on social media, a rebel group based in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo said it had carried out the attack.

A senior government official said the violence was potentially linked to the imminent repatriation of refugees, who fled to Rwanda after fleeing violence in Burundi in 2017.