Burundi’s president condemns killing of army general

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has condemned the killing of a senior army officer in the capital, Bujumbura, as violence that began a year ago appeared to intensify.

Brig.-Gen. Athanase Kararuza, who was also a military adviser in the office of the vice president, was shot along with his wife and bodyguard on Monday in an attack that wounded their child.

The general’s car came under rocket and gunfire as he was on his way to drop his child at school, Army Spokesman, Gaspard Baratuza, told the Reuters news agency.

“He energetically fought against the coup plotters last year and contributed exceptionally in strengthening peace and security during and after elections,” Nkurunziza said in a statement.

“We humbly pray that with the help of God, perpetrators of the shameful acts are arrested and quickly punished according to the law.”

Kararuza previously worked as a deputy commander of an international peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic.