Senior cleric dodges assassin before Mass

Prompt action saved the Archbishop of Bujumbura from an assassin’s bullet on Sunday, writes Fredrick Nzwili.

According to the Fides news agency, Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye was leading a procession into peace prayers at Mont Sion Catholic church in the Burundian capital, when information about an imminent attack was received, prompting the cancellation of the planned Mass.

The archbishop is one of the senior Catholic clergy who have opposed President Pierre Nkurunziza in his efforts to run for a third term in elections that are scheduled to be held at the end of the month.