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Communiqué on the Burundi Cease-Fire
Negotiations
A ceasefire agreement has been reached between the
Transitional Government of Burundi and the National
Council for the Defence of Democracy/Forces for the
Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Colonel Jean-Bosco
Ndayikengurukiye.
Given the fact that the agreement has been reached
before the conclusion of the series of negotiations
with the other two armed Burundian political movements,
the CNDD-FDD (Jean Bosco) and the Transitional Government,
represented by Minister Ambroise Niyonsaba signed a
Memorandum of Understanding today, and the General Ceasefire
Agreement will be signed at a date to be announced later.
The General Ceasefire Agreement is an important component
of the implementation of the Arusha Agreement for Peace
and Reconciliation, signed on 28 August 2000.
The negotiations being facilitated are between the
Transitional Government of Burundi and three movements,
namely:
* National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces
for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Pierre Nkurunziza.
* Palipehutu -Forces for National Liberation (Palipehutu-FNL)
* National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces
for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Jean-Bosco
Ndayikengurukiye.
The conclusion of the ceasefire agreement with the
CNDD-FDD (Jean Bosco) moves the peace process one step
forward towards securing a comprehensive
ceasefire agreement involving the Government and all
three movements. It also heralds the beginning of an
important chapter in the history of Burundian war, and
gives concrete hope to the Burundian people and the
people of the African continent that Africa is now certainly
on the road to peace and stability.
Talks and consultations with the Transitional Government
and the CNDD-FDD led by Piere Nkurunziza have progressed
well, and a lot of effort is being put into resolving
all outstanding matters, and to allow a conclusion soon.
Both the Transitional Government and the CNDD-FDD (Nkurunziza)
have affirmed their commitment to working towards an
agreement urgently.
Negotiations at a technical level will continue this
week between the Nkurunziza group and the Transitional
Government, and actual ceasefire negotiations will resume
in Dar es Salaam on 16 September 2002.
The Palipehutu-FNL could not arrive on time in Dar
es Salaam last week due to logistical problems. The
group will travel to South Africa for preliminary consultations
this week.
We are encouraged by the commitment and determination
of the negotiating partners to finding a solution, and
by the amicable atmosphere in which the discussions
have been conducted, from August 12 to August 26, 2002.
The Facilitation team would also like to express sincere
gratitude to His Excellency President Benjamin William
Mkapa and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania
for hosting the talks and for providing unwavering
support.
Tanzania's undying commitment to the peaceful resolution
of the problems of the continent reminds us of the unequalled
support and commitment that this country displayed during
the struggle for the liberation of many countries in
Southern Africa.
We are also appreciative of the support provided by
the United Nations, represented by Ambassador Berhanu
Dinka, and the African Union, represented by Ambassador
Mamadou Bah.
The facilitation team, South Africa, led by Deputy
President Zuma, and Gabon led by the representative
of President Omar Bongo, the Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs Jean Francois Ndongou, wishes the various parties
well during the next round of negotiations.
HE Jacob G Zuma
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
Chairperson of the Burundi Ceasefire Negotiations
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
26 August 2002
For more information please contact Ms Zanele Mngadi
on 082 781 9332
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