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BURUNDI: Peace talks to resume on Thursday, says South Africa

NAIROBI, 16 September (IRIN) - Negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire agreement between the transitional government of Burundi and armed opposition movements will resume in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Thursday, 19 September, according to a statement issued by the office of South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma on Monday.

The previous round of negotiations ended "successfully" on 26 August 2002, according to Zuma's office, with the conclusion of an agreement between the government of Burundi and the Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie/Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD) of Col Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye.

The leaders of the two delegations, Ambroise Niyonsaba for the transitional government and Col Ndayikengurukiye, signed a memorandum of understanding in Dar es Salaam, and a ceasefire agreement will be signed "on a date to be announced in due course", said the Zuma statement.

Negotiations are still to be held between the Burundi government and the other CNDD-FDD faction of Pierre Nkurunziza, as well as the Palipehutu-Forces nationales pour la liberation (Palipehutu-FNL).

The Palipehutu-FNL delegation to the ceasefire talks last week concluded consultations in South Africa, during which they held discussions with Zuma who is the facilitator of ceasefire negotiations, and former President Nelson Mandela who is the mediator in the Burundi conflict.

According to Zuma's office, the Palipehutu-FNL delegation "expressed its readiness and commitment to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the transitional government", while the CNDD-FDD "also emphasised its commitment to negotiations". The facilitation team said it was therefore "optimistic about another positive outcome during this session of negotiations".

Zuma's office stressed that the general ceasefire agreement being sought is a "key part" for the implementation of the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, signed on 28 August 2000.

[ENDS]

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