Archbishop escapes assassination attempt in Burundi

June 01, 2015

Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura, Burundi narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on May 31, the Fides news service reports.

Although details are sketchy, it appears that an attempt on the archbishop’s life was made during a May procession. The would-be killers were stopped by young Catholics who had organized a security detail to defend the prelate.

The attack came just days after the Catholic bishops of Burundi announced that they were asking all priests to withdraw from election commissions, in light of their conclusion that fair elections were now impossible.

Burundi has been engulfed in violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza indicated that he would seek a 3rd term in office, in violation of the country’s constitution. The Catholic bishops, along with the US and the European Union, have appealed to Nkurunziza to abandon that plan.

 

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Further information:

• An assassination attempt foiled against the Archbishop of Bujumbura during the Marian procession (Fides)
• Burundi's bishops say fair vote impossible, withdraw from election commissions (CWN, 5/28)