[49]Habimana claimed FNL responsibility for the attack, saying the combatants had acted in self-defense, but an eyewitness told Human Rights Watch the FNL fired first. Nkundwanabake, a CNDD-FDD member, said he had received threats from the Palipehutu-FNL shortly before the attack due to his political affiliation and his attempts to prevent the rebels from collecting taxes. Human Rights Watch interviews, Rugazi, February 26, 2008; Organisation des Médias d’Afrique Centrale, “Actualité burundaise du 25 février 2008,” http://www.omac-afrique.org/article.php3?id_article=987 (accessed August 16, 2008).