Deputy President Zuma Meets with President Museveni

Deputy President Jacob Zuma met with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Chairperson of the Great lakes regional Initiative on Burundi, in Kampala, Uganda this morning, 15 July 2003.

The two leaders discussed a number of issues particularly the situation in Burundi. They condemned the sporadic violence in Bujumbura and re-affirmed the commitment of the region and the Facilitation to ensuring that the peace process in Burundi is not affected adversely by the violence.

They called upon
n The belligerents in Burundi conflict, especially the signatories of the ceasefire agreements to respect the transitional arrangements and work towards urgent implementation of the agreements.
n The Palipehutu-FNL of Agathon Rwasa to refrain from violence and join the peace process without further delay.

They announced that a special meeting on Burundi will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 20th July, where the way forward will be discussed, with a view to returning the security situation to normality, and ensuring a more conducive climate for the implementation of the ceasefire agreements as well as the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement of the year 2000, on which the current transitional phase is based.

The meeting will include President Museveni, Chairperson of the regional initiative on Burundi, President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, who is the Deputy Chairperson and Deputy President Zuma as Facilitator as well as the belligerent in the conflict.

The Deputy President will depart Kampala for Rwanda this afternoon ahead of his meeting with President Paul Kagame tomorrow morning, 16 July 2003

Enquiries Lakela Kaunda, Spokesperson to Deputy President Zuma on 082 782 2575
Issued by the Presidency: Republic of South Africa South African Operations Room
Kampala, Uganda
15 July 2003