About 10,000 civilians fled their homes following renewed fighting between two rebels groups in Burundi's Bujumbura Rural Province. The fighting took place in the Bugarama valley in Mubimbi, 25 km from the capital, Bujumbura. 

The Burundian government promptly imposed a curfew on five zones on the outskirts of Bujumbura, as a security measure for better control of people's movements in the suburbs. Rebels in civilian clothes have infiltrated into the capital during previous offensives. 

On 16 September 2003, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), a privately-owned radio station, was suspended indefinitely. The authorities have accused the station of broadcasting "enemy propaganda" by interviewing an FLN spokesperson. On September 13, Isanganiro radio was also suspended for one week for giving air time to rebels. The next day, the other privately-owned stations in Burundi decided to cease coverage of the government's activities until Isanganiro was allowed back on the air. - Adam Geibel