Exchange of gunfire and grenade explosions have rocked Cibitoke and Mutakura suburbs of Burundi's capital Bujumbura.

According to Burundi's deputy police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye, one police officer was killed in an operation to arrest youth possessing small arms illegally. It is feared more police officers could have been killed.

“They want to kill us, that is why we are protesting and not allowing them to get in our homes easily, we shall fight them to the end,” said one of the protesters in Mutakura.

Residents in Mutakura are accusing the police of systematically targeting those who were involved in the protests against president Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term.

“They are arresting all the protesters and many of them we don’t know even there where about,” said one of the Mutakura residents.

However the police spokesman couldn’t confirm more about the ongoing operation in the suburb ahead of the country’s Independence Day.

Journalists have been barred from entering Mutakura where Burundian police are believed to be exchanging fire with unidentified people.

Poll results

Meanwhile, the country is awaiting final results of the parliamentary and communal polls held on Monday despite a boycott by the opposition.

“The only way to give the sustainable peace is through elections. If the country doesn’t hold the elections, it will be on the brink of getting back to war as many of you know,” said president Nkurunziza while addressing the public during the Burundi’s fifty third Independence Day celebrations earlier on Wednesday.

President Nkurunziza honoured 11 security officials whom he said played a gallant role in foiling the coup in May led by Gen Godefroid Niyombare.

“Colonel Marius Ngendabanka protected the National broadcaster, he worked a lot in foiling the coup and bringing back security even though his house was burnt, so I hereby give him a medal of honour and 2million Burundian francs,” said the Burundian president.

With the suspension of aid by Belgium, Germany and other international partners that were to facilitate election preparations, the president called on all Burundians to fundraise the money meant for the elections preparation.

“In the account we currently have three billion Burundian francs that was raised by Burundians patriots,” he said.

The United States has said it was deeply disappointed that the Burundian government moved forward with parliamentary elections “despite woefully inadequate conditions for them to be credible, disregarding the strong urging of the AU, the UN secretary general and many other voices calling for delay,” .

“We call on president Nkurunziza to place the welfare of his country and people ahead of his wish to serve a third term by heeding the calls for dialogue and demonstrating respect for the Arusha Agreement including its provisions on term limits,” said John Kirby, the US department spokesman.