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)
3 comments:
None ku bumvikanye babaye iki? Ariko ntitworeka kwibutsa Nkurunziza na Rwasa ko bamaze gisinyiranira amasezerano nkayo mu myaka iheze! Tubiteze amaso!
These two people will not win the upcoming election
I think there is some truth in what you are saying: But we hope the election will be free enough so people can exercise their civic duty and do without pressure or INTIMIDATION. Burundi has learned a lot in the past 4 years! Qui vivra verra!
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