FNL refuses the 33 posts offered by the Burundian Government: What a New Year's gift of the FNL to Burundians?

They all signed the deal a couple of weeks ago. Most of us thought that FNL and the government have at least read the text before signing it. It turns out: may be they read it, but they did not understand....may be texts should be written in Kirundi so that the language is not to blame for misunderstanding! We all thought they negociated first...And I am not surprised: they have done this many times before...and we kept quiet as if it were none of our business!
FNL's spokeperson in the MCVS Mr Anatole Bacanamwo told PANA press that those posts are insignificant and left overs...and so talks need to resume because the struggle of the FNL deserves more than that: condescending remarks! Does FNL remember how many rebel groups there were in Burundi and how many received 33 posts? Clikc here to review those posts
A few days ago, the FNL was saying that the government has not honored its engagement because it failed to prepare appropriate assembly places for their fighting members! In addition they have asked the mediation money to organize a general assembly! According to Arib.info, they have requested 300.000 USD. What will happen to the campaign before the election? who will finance it? Someone needs to be nimble here!
One understands that an agreement is done between two parties. One cannot escape to ask what the FNL has done on their side to implement the agreement (except complaining of course)! At least, FNL could have started telling us what they have been up to as far as changing the name goes. Recently Habimana spoke on air (sur RPA) that they were not concerned with posts and they were really eyeing on the 2010 elections...This is ludicrous!
Many Burundians have (had) faith in FNL after being disappointed by the Nkurunziza government. But how can Burundians trust leaders who change their minds every single day? Honestly one can easily question the intentions of the FNL today.
We all know that the deadline for implementing whatever they signed is in two days (Dec 31, 2008), it is not surprising that someone is finding excuses and someone else to blame. As to us simple Burundians, we need to hear no discourses! We need substance. FNL/government know that the UN mission in Burundi has been given another year: may be they see this as an opportunity!
It will be hard to convice us during the elections because after all, politicians only stand for their ownselves. But we can no longer afford that! If Americans have succeeded to overcome their past and differences...Burundian can too especially in these times when we receive financial aid from Rwanda, a country with the same potential as ours but with more brains synergy.

Vugaduhabwe

Palipehutu wants more posts while Burundi economy ...in trouble @ Christmas

Burundian rebels turn down government posts

Bujumbura, Burundi - The Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People/National Liberation Front (PALIPEHUTU-FNL) has described as "crumbs" 33 posts proposed to it by the government under the terms of a ceasefire agreement, rebel sources said on Monday.

PALIPEHUTU-FNL was offered two ambassadorial positions in Western countries, two governorships, heads of para-governmental companies as well as principal advisers.

"Our combat deserves more consideration and it will be necessary to continue the discussions with the Burundian government on these insignificant offers," the spokesperson of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL within the Verification and Follow up Joint Mechanism (MCVS) of the ceasefire agreement, Anatole Bacanamwo, told PANA in a telephone interview.

However, the government had little room to maneuver, as the constitution states that to become a member of government, a political party should have had at least 5% of the votes during the most recent legislative elections.

Since the rebel movement did not take part to the 2005 general elections, it would be necessary to amend the constitution to find posts for it in government, government officials argued.

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Burundi economy...in trouble@ Christmas


Sombre mood in Burundi as Christmas arrives


Bujumbura, Burundi – There is a sombre mood in the Central African state of Burundi, as the Christmas arrives and the economic hardship bites. And for a country where 70 per cent of the population are Christians, the despondency is deep and wide.

The cold statistics are long. The price of a kilogramme of beef or mutton, chick en or fish has hit a new high, jumping form US$4 to US$20, according to butcheries in Bujumbura.

The prices of these products, which are popular with average households on great festive occasions, were twice less expensive at the same time last year, some butchers told PANA in the Burundian capital, adding that small and big cattle husbandry and fishing, have been on the declining.

Rampant inflation does not spare other basic commodities such as rice, without which there is no real popular feast in Burundi.

Clothing does not attract people and many children are not likely to put on new clothes on Christmas Day.

As for the Christmas Tree, it is getting out of use since the government has prevented the felling of trees in an effort to protect the environment.

A few street vendors of artificial fir trees "Made in China" are running up and down the streets of Bujumbura, but without attracting many people.

Morale is particularly low among civil servants who do not know as yet when their meagre salaries would be paid to them. Certainly they cannot be paid before Christmas and they will have another dull festive season.



Do you think Burundian Political parties want the real Peace or Posts?

Have your say by posting your views below

Will Burundi Government relly always on Donors???

Burundi state spending to rise 38 percent in 2009
Tue 23 Dec 2008, 8:57 GMT
By Patrick Nduwimana

BUJUMBURA - Burundi plans to increase spending by 38 percent to 819 billion francs in 2009 on poverty reduction programmes and reviving the economy, officials said on Tuesday.

The 2009 budget presented to the national assembly late on Monday also showed revenues would grow 26 percent to 703 billion francs.

"The present budget takes into account the poverty reduction program and the country's economic development," said Bwabo Donatien, a finance ministry spokesman.

"A lot of money was allocated to socio-economic sectors which we believe are sources of growth," he told Reuters.

The coffee growing nation expects its economy will expand by 4.8 percent in 2009 after 4.5 percent growth this year.

Grants and loans will fund 44.5 percent of the budget and Bwabo said donors were ready to continue funding expenditure in the poor country.

"Our development partners have committed to support the country's budget and economy despite the world financial crisis," he said.

"Even though the turmoil takes long, Burundi hopes to cover its expenses with dividends from debt relief."

The central African nation expects its $1.5 billion external debt will be written off next year under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries programme initiated by the World Bank and IMF.

Burundi says the cancellation will save it between $40 and $45 million each year and help revive an economy ailing from more than a decade of ethnic conflict.

We(Burundians abroad) believe the Government should mind the security,justice and health of people than puzzling of Coffee or any natural resource.
Why, these are the basis of Huma life, without them how can one survive?


Anyway read below, uhhh good news:



Burundi to create human rights commission
News - Africa news

BURUNDI - The Burundi government will establish a national independent human rights commission from January, the Minister of Human Rights and Gender, Mrs Immaculée Nabayo, announced on Saturday in Bujumbura.

She said an inter-ministerial committee had since last May been examining the draft law on the commission and this would be sent to the National Assembly and Senate for adoption.

The commission's task will be tough, considering the conclusions of the latest report of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon on the UN Integrated Bureau in Burundi (BINUB).

The report speaks of the "increasing number of arrests of members of the political opposition, of civil society and media representatives".

"I urgently ask the authorities to respect freedom of expression and of meeting that are sanctioned by the Constitution of Burundi and the universal declaration of human rights," Mr Ban wrote in his report.

"The general security conditions have improved in Burundi, but the population continues to be victims of numerous acts of criminality," he added.

Can you believe it?
Have your say by posting your comment

Marry Xmas!!

Joyeux Noel

Feliz navida

Noeli Nziza,

Boa felias...
.....

FNL and Nkurunziza endless deal in Burundi.....Kaput and hopeless!

Will the FNL and Nkurunziza deal finish in 2009?

Burundians and the International community are tired of endless timeframe and blueprint of FNL and Nkurunziza Government in Burundi.


UN urges Burundian government, rebels to implement peace deal
4 days ago

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The Security Council decided Monday to keep the UN Integrated Office in Burundi in place for another year and urged the Bujumbura government and its rebel foe to honor their recent peace deal.

The 15-member body unanimously adopted Resolution 1858 which decided to extend until December 31, 2009 the mandate of the office, BINUB, which expires at the end of the month.

The Franco-Belgian text also urged the Burundian government and the Palipehutu party, the political arm of the Hutu rebel National Liberation Forces (FNL) "to make every effort to implement, before December 31, 2008, the agreements they reached on December 4, 2008."

Under the accords reached December 4 at a Bujumbura summit which revived hopes of a final end to Burundi's deadly 15-year civil war, the FNL made key concessions.

The deal was signed by Palipehutu-FNL chairman Agathon Rwasa and Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza in the presence of several regional leaders, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who chairs the Burundi peace initiative.

The Bujumbura government and the FNL signed a ceasefire accord in 2006 but its implementation had stumbled and both sides had remained at loggerheads over several points.

Burundi is struggling to recover from civil unrest which erupted in 1993 and killed an estimated 300,000 people.


Have your say ,you can win(be)one of Vugaduhabwe's World advocate.

Were really Burundians Consulted before Nkurunziza and FNL deal?

Is it the right time for Burundian Refugees in Tanzania to return home

What do think of Home Affairs Lawrence Masha regarding Burundian Refugees in Tanzania? (Read his comment below)

"Home Affairs Minister Lawrence Masha has said about 30,000 refugees from Mishamo and Katumba camps in Rukwa region and Ulyankulu camp in Tabora Region were repatriated to Burundi between March and November this year.

Mr Masha was briefing the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, on repatriation exercise after the later had inaugurated the rehabilitated Mpanda Airport at Kashaulili area. The rehabilitation of the airport was financed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in appreciation to the district for hosting the Burundian refugees at Katumba and Mishamo camps for nearly 30 years.

He further told the premier that UNHCR in collaboration with the government had repatriated 6,189 Burundian refugees from the Old settlement since November. He further said 1,397 Democratic Republic of Congo refugees have been assisted to return home from camps in the North - Western Tanzania, making a total number of those repatriated to 15,322.

According to UNHCR until November this year 158,554 Burundian refugees had applied for naturalization of which 62,768 were from Katumba and 52,581 from Mishamo camps in Mpanda district in Rukwa region. Other 43,205 refugees were from Ulyankulu camp in Urambo district in Tabora region. The report said 307 refugees were resettled from Tanzania of which 213 went to US, 78 to the Netherlands, four to Canada and six to Norway and Sweden.

Between January and this month, 3,214 refugees left the country for resettlement in Australia, Canada, Denmark the Netherlands, Norway , Sweden and USA; according to the report. The premier instructed the Ministry for Home Affairs in collaboration with UNHCR to expedite the repatriation of Burundian refugees since peace and political tranquility has been restored in their country."

What could UNHCR Tanzania do to improve the protection of Burundian refugees in Tanzania? Repatriation or Resettlement

Miss East Africa 2008 from Burundi: Tell me about it!

Burundi is slowly rising from its ashes. Although some issues still need to be addressed, there is progress, such the peace deal with part of the government oponents, joining the East african community (you might also realize that many regional meetings are held in Bujumbura)and now a Burundian is crown Miss East Africa for this year and in Bujumbura! W hope that many doors of opportunities will be open for so many Burundians who rely on agriculture to meet their basic needs!
Congratulation to our sister who made it to the top! It is the hope that the private sector will develop to employ so many Burundians who only rely on government jobs.
The competition involved chiks from Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Re Union, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Comoros.
These two ladies represented Burundi

Congratulation to Claudia Niyonzima (o6) who is Now Miss East Africa for this year!
We hope many more things come from Burundi!
More pictures will be availble soon!
Vugaduhabwe

Error Correction: We apologize for the earlier confusion in numbers indefying those warembo up! We thank all our readers for your comments: Keep it up. Now error corrected!
Thanks
Vugaduhabwe

Theoneste Bagosora to be jailed for life!

Bagosora and two co-defendants were found by a UN tribunal to have led a committee that plotted the massacre of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

It is the first time the Rwanda tribunal has convicted anyone of organising the killings (...)

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in Tanzania, rejected the defence's argument that the killing was not organised, and therefore not genocide.

Bagosora's lawyer, Raphael Constant, said his client would appeal against the verdict.

Brigadier Gratien Kabiligi, the former chief of military operations, who was on trial with Bagosora and the two other men, was cleared of all charges and ordered to be released from custody immediately.

In another verdict on Thursday, the tribunal sentenced Protais Zigiranyirazo, 57, to 20 years in jail for his part in the genocide.

Mr Zigiranyirazo, a brother-in-law of former President Juvenal Habyarimana, was accused of ordering Hutus to kill 48 people in two incidents.

Read More Here

Nduta Burundian refugees relocated as camp closes

Source: UN News
Following UNHCR's initiative, the Tanzanian government has scheduled the closure of the Nduta camp for Burundian refugees in north-western Tanzania at the end of this month. We are currently in the process of relocating the 10,000 remaining refugees from Nduta to Mtabila camp. As of January, Mtabila will be the only camp in Tanzania hosting the remaining 46,450 Burundian refugees who fled their homeland in the 1990s.

For almost four decades, Tanzania has been the main host country for hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees who fled ethnic tensions and armed conflict in their home country in two big waves – first during the early 1970s and then again in the 1990s. In 2000, Burundians were one of the largest refugee populations in the world – second only to Afghan refugees.

UNHCR-organized voluntary repatriation of the Burundian refugees who fled their country in the nineties began in 2002 and it has been one of the most successful operations on the African continent. So far, we have organized and assisted the return of some 357,000 refugees, 63,000 of them this year. In addition, many more returned on their own and received assistance once they arrived in Burundi. We estimate that in total, more than 470,000 Burundians have returned home from Tanzania and other asylum countries over the past six years.

In a separate repatriation for the so called 1972 Burundians which was launched in March this year, another 30,000 people have returned. After 35 years, the breakthrough came in 2007 when the government of Tanzania indicated its intention to close the so-called 'Old Settlements' hosting Burundian refugees from 1972. The governments of Tanzania and Burundi expressed their wish to find lasting solutions for these refugees and worked with us on a strategy, bringing a closure to this long-drawn-out displacement chapter.

Tanzania has offered local integration, including naturalization and citizenship, to those Burundian refugees who fled their homeland in 1972 and wish to remain in the country. This year, some 165,000 refugees submitted their citizenship applications which are now being processed by specially dedicated teams from the government of Tanzania's immigration, police and other competent services.

In the meantime, together with the Tanzanian government, we continue the process of consolidating and closing refugee camps along the Burundian border. Over the past two years, six camps have been closed.

On December 10, we began the relocation of the remaining 10,000 refugees from Nduta to Mtabila camp. So far, more than 5,000 refugees have been relocated to the consolidation site, where six reception centres have been set up. Our team at Mtabila is working with partner organizations to finalize the entire relocation operation by next Tuesday (23 December).

UNHCR is gradually scaling back its operations in northwestern Tanzania. We will, however, continue to work with other UN agencies – in the context of the UN Delivering as One pilot programme in Tanzania – on alleviating the consequences of protracted displacement and long-term humanitarian operations. We will address the rehabilitation of the environment and closed camp sites as well as aim to meet the needs of the local communities for continued health and education services.

Les 33 postes pour FNL!

11-12-2008
Nous avions cru à un canular! Hélas non.
Voici la liste des 33 postes ayant fait l'object de l'accord signé entre Pierre Nkurunziza et Rwasa Agathon, devant un parterre de chefs d'Etat ce 04 décembre. S'il est vrai que les propositions du Palipehutu FNL d'il y a quelques mois étaient irréalistes, celles-ci le sont tout autant. Et c'est le gouvernement qui avait quelque chose à donner. C'est ça le prix de la paix. Autrement, tous les engagements pris n'auront été que poudre aux yeux.
A ce jeu de poker-menteur, l'apaisement tant espéré est encore loin. Comment le Palipehutu FNL fera t'il encore confiance à son interlocuteur? Et le peuple continuera à trinquer (......)
A vous de vous faire une opinion sur la liste qui suit:
Postes à allouer au PALIPEHUTU-FNL
Conseiller principal au cabinet chargé des questions de police et cabinet militaire : 2
Conseiller économique: 1
Conseiller social: 1
Conseiller principal à la 1ère et 2ème Vice Présidence : 2
2 gouverneurs de Province + 3 conseillers
Ambassades de Rome et Russie + 3 conseillers
Commissions nationales
Terres et autres biens: 3
Désarmement : 2
Conseil National de la Communication : 1
Service National de Législation: 2
DDRR: 1
Sociétés para-étatiques
8 cadres de direction dont 2 cadres dans deux Banques

Source: burundi.news.free.fr

Burundi : Vers une Commission électorale à la solde de Nkurunziza

Selon de sources biens informées proches du parti au pouvoir CNDD-FDD, le président burundais, Pierre Nkurunziza, vient de proposer au Sénat, pour approbation, la liste des membres du directoire de la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI), qui va superviser les prochaines échéances électorales de 2010.

A y regarder de plus près, cette Commission est tout sauf indépendante car sa composition est taillée sur mesure pour le président-candidat à sa propre succession en 2010. De qui s'agit-il ?

1. Mme Clotilde Niragira : pressentie comme la future présidente de la CENI, l’actuel ministre de la Fonction publique et du Travail est un membre influent du parti CNDD-FDD et fidèle parmi les fidèles lieutenants du président Nkurunziza.

On rappelle que Mme Clotilde Niragira fut aussi membre influent de la précédente CENI qui a piloté les dernières élections de 2005. Après les élections Nkurunziza va la nommer à la tête du ministère de la Justice, où elle va s’atteler à la mise sous tutelle de la magistrature et au montage des affaires politico-judiciaires qui ont défrayé la chronique.

Elle est en effet connue pour avoir été l'un des personnages centraux dans le montage juridique des faux complots de putsch à l'origine de l'arrestation en 2006 de l’ancien président de la République Domitien Ndayizeye et de l’ancien vice-président Alphonse Kadege.

A la tête du ministère de Justice, elle saura aussi diligenter le ministère public pour obtenir illégalement la levée de l'immunité et la radiation de plusieurs députés dont Mathias Basabose et Léonard Nyangoma.

Pour la mettre à l’abri, après l’éclatement de tous ces scandales politico-judiciaires, le président Nkurunziza va la placer à la tête de la Fonction publique et du Travail. Mais les incessants mouvements sociaux et grèves à répétition dans la Fonction publique, montrent que Mme Clotilde Niragira est loin de maîtriser son ministère.

2. Mgr. Antoine Pierre Madaraga : Vicaire général de Ngozi, il est natif de la même commune que le président Pierre Nkurunziza. Selon certaines sources, il serait en réalité un conseiller « clandestin » de Nkurunziza et ne jurerait que par lui.

3. Mgr Elie Buconyori : Evêque de l'Eglise Méthodiste libre et fondateur de l'Université Espoir, il est membre du Conseil national des églises du Burundi (CNEB).

Très proche du président Nkurunziza, il passe pour être son conseiller principal, selon plusieurs sources. Son indépendance par rapport au CNDD-FDD n’est donc pas assurée.

4. Mme Sylvie Kinigi : Ancienne Premier ministre de feu Président Ndadaye et membre du parti UPRONA, elle est considérée comme étant « sans poigne » et donc plus « malléable ».

Sa présence dans la Commission serait en réalité un gage pour obtenir les voix de l'UPRONA pour l'approbation de la CENI par le Sénat, lors de la séance programmée probablement pour ce mardi 9 décembre 2008.

5. M. Didace Birabisha : Chef de cabinet au Ministère des Travaux Publics, il est membre d'une des églises dites « du réveil », véritables sectes religieuses, quotidiennement fréquentées par le président Nkurunziza. Sa nomination à la CENI n'est pas due au hasard et se passe de tout commentaire.

Si cette équipe devrait être entérinée par les deux chambres du Parlement burundais, ce qui n'est point à douter vu que ces dernières sont devenues des caisses d'enregistrement du pouvoir CNDD-FDD, les élections de 2010 sont compromises quant à leur transparence, selon plusieurs observateurs.

La majorité des acteurs politiques et de la société civile appelle le président Nkurunziza à procéder à la consultation des partenaires politiques au lieu de se contenter des confessions religieuses avant de nommer cette commission d'une importance capitale dans la vie de la nation burundaise.

Selon les experts, pour remplir les critères d'indépendance et de neutralité la CENI doit être paritaire (majorité-opposition) ou à défaut inclusive (avec des représentants du pouvoir, de l'opposition et de la société civile).

Le leader de l’opposition, le député Léonard Nyangoma, a appelé samedi à une CENI paritaire majorité-opposition élargie à au moins 12 commissaires mais aussi permanente. Pour lui, la nomination de cette CENI dont les tâches sont très complexes devra être précédée par une révision de la Constitution et du Code électoral.

Reste à espérer que les partis politiques d'opposition ainsi que la société civile vont se réveiller pour barrer la route à ce diktat d'un autre âge afin d’éviter au Burundi des élections à la Kenyane ou à la Mugabe.

Pour Lire la suite: Lisez Ici!
Source: Arib.info

Petition to free prisoners of opinion in Burundi is Available on line

Dear Reader, we have deliberatly put this link on our blog to "inform" those who are interested in signing the petition.
Caution! We do not urge anyone to sign this petition. We have made it available so that you know what is going on in Burundi as we always do. Your conscience will dictate the course of your action.
In addition, here at vugaduhabwe, we think that justice should be done, and innocent people liberated. The Burundian regime has a reputation of supressing those who are of a different opinion: The case of Ndayizeye, Kadege, etc who were emprisoned wrongly are evidences that more needs to be done in Burundi! This petition is not just for Sinduhije, but advocate for many other Burundians who diserve Justice!

The link to the petition is:
Click here to be directed to the petition, Injirira ngaha

Vugaduhabwe!

BREAKING NEWS: Palipehutu and the Gouvernment have a New Deal!

BUJUMBURA (Reuters) - Burundi's government and the last remaining rebel group committed on Thursday to implement a peace agreement delayed by a dispute over the insurgents' transformation into a political party.

At a summit of regional heads of state, President Pierre Nkurunziza and Forces for National Liberation (FNL) leader Agathon Rwasa signed a communique saying disarmament and demobilization of rebels would start "without delay."

The FNL had dropped its demand to form a political party called "Palipehutu," which means party for the liberation of Hutus, the communique said. Burundi's constitution does not allow parties with ethnic affiliations.

Increasingly impatient mediators, led by South Africa, had given the government and rebels until the end of this year to complete a deal or risk losing regional support.

The government and FNL first reached a deal in principle in mid-2006 to halt two decades of violence that killed 300,000 people in the central African nation of 8 million.

Thursday's communique said senior FNL members would take 33 government posts, and the government would release all political and war prisoners.

"Both parties agree that the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process is to begin without delay with FNL combatants moving into assembly areas as soon as possible," the communique added.

(Reporting by Patrick Nduwimana; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Richard Balmforth)

Burundi Tribune: FNL Accepte les conditions pour donner la paix au Burundais!

Bujumbura, 2008-12-04 (www.BurundiTribune.com) - Le dernier mouvement rebelle hutu, le Palipehutu-Forces nationales de libération (FNL) a accepté de désarmer ses combattants, de convertir son mouvement en un parti politique et d'accepter des postes politiques offerts par le Président burundais Pierre Nkurunziza. En échange, la médiation sud-africaine a décidé de soutenir le mouvement dans sa transformation de groupe rebelle en parti politique.

L'accord a été signé en avance d'un sommet régional des chefs d'États ce Décembre.4 2008 dans la capitale burundaise Bujumbura. Il est attendu que les chefs d'État vont approuver l'accord et officiellement déclarer la fin de la guerre entre le gouvernement et le Palipehutu-FNL. Le gouvernement et le Palipehutu-FNL ont signé un accord de cessez-le-feu en 2007, mais le processus de paix était resté dans l'impasse suivant le refus du mouvement rebelle de désarmer et de renoncer à la dénomination "Palipehutu", qui signifie "Parti pour la libération du peuple hutu".

Le gouvernement a refusé de reconnaître le Palipehutu-FNL comme parti politique, affirmant que son nom a une connotation ethnique; ce qui est contraire à la constitution burundaise.
Source: Burundi Tribune

RUN FOR PEACE in BURUNDI

Marathon for peace for Peace, Amahoro, Marathon Pour la Paix

Abarundi nabo biruhutse: FNL na Leta turabakeje. Barundi gende muri Marathon rero kuko niyo mwaheza muzoronka aho muja gukika umusaya ko bemeye kugarukana amahoro!
Vugaduhabwe

Another Burundian Soldier Falls in Somalia

NAIROBI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Tuesday condemned attacks on its peacekeepers in Somalia which claimed the life of a Burundian soldier.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, Special Representative to the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nicolas Bwakira, described as shameful the killing of AMISOM soldiers who are on humanitarian peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

"The African Union strongly condemns the mischievous attack Monday night which claimed the life of an AMISOM Burundi soldier," said Bwakira.

He said the pan-African body's mission in the war-ravaged nation is determined to remain calm and focused on its mission in spite of constant provocations executed by Somali "anti-peace and negative forces to derail the ongoing peace process."

"The attackers must not mistake our lenient friendly disposition for a weakness and are, therefore, warned to desist from further provocative attacks," said Bwakira.

Uganda was the first country to contribute troops to the AMISOM in March 2007 and Burundi followed in 2008, but the force is still far short of the 8,000 soldiers initially announced by the AU.

AU peacekeepers have struggled to make an impact in Somalia, where they are targeted by Islamist insurgents seeking to regain power from the government forces.