Prime Ndikumagenge BBC, Bujumbura, Burundi

The FDD have signed up to peace

Burundi rebels have killed eight people and seriously wounded several others in an ambush on Monday, north of the country.

About 50 militia from the Forces for the Defence of Democracy, (FDD), are said to have attacked a passenger vehicle, near the northern town of Kayanza, from their stronghold in Kibira forest and stolen goods on board.

The governor of Kayanza, Dr Edward Nkurunziza, says villagers near the scene of the ambush fled their homes, but the situation has now returned to normal.

FDD launched the attack despite renewing, on Saturday, their commitment to implement a ceasefire deal they signed in December last year between the Burundian government and FDD rebels in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Dozens of cattle were also killed and 50 others rustled in a separate attack on Monday night, in the commune of Bukeye, in Muramvya another province in the north of Burundi.

Fighting resumed

Tension is also reported in the north western province of Bubanza where FDD rebels and government soldiers have resumed fighting after a month of ceasefire.

People in Bujumbura have long been sceptical of the truce signed seven months ago in Pretoria, South Africa, saying that it could just be another empty promise.