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Statement on the Conclusion of Burundi
Power Sharing Talks, 4 - 6 August 2004
The Burundi political parties that are signatories
to the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement of
2000, and the nine parties that were formed after the
Arusha Agreement met in Pretoria on 4-6 August 2004.
This was a follow up to the post-election power sharing
talks held in July in Pretoria, and following the visit
by Deputy President Jacob Zuma to Bujumbura to resolve
the outstanding matters raised by few parties during
the July Pretoria meeting.
The Burundi delegations comprised the Transitional
Government, led by President Domitien Ndayizeye, and
29 political parties. The South African government facilitation
delegation was led by President Thabo Mbeki, and included
Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Foreign Affairs Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
The political parties of Burundi, again discussed power
sharing, in particular the proposal of power sharing
as was presented by the few parties that had raised
objections.
The overwhelming majority of parties again confirmed
the power sharing proposal of 60-40 ethnic representation
as had been agreed in Arusha, and that women representation
be at 30% level.
On Friday, 06 August 2004, 19 of the parties signed
the agreement while 10 parties did not sign. One party,
CNDD-FDD did not attend the talks because of a clash
with their party's congress.
They also agreed with the composition of the National
Assembly, the Senate, the Presidency and other structures
of government.
There was also agreement that among the constitutional
and legal principles that will guarantee this outcome,
the application modalities of which will be elaborated
where necessary, are:
- the establishment and entrenchment of a democratic
system of government;
- the inclusion of minority political parties within
the overall system of governance;
- the protection and inclusion of the ethnic, cultural
and religious minorities within the overall system
of governance; and
- the structuring of the national security and justice
system to guarantee the safety and security of all
Barundi, including the ethnic minorities.
The agreement will be discussed at the next Great Lakes
Heads of State Regional Summit.
The parties appreciated the inclusion, for the first
time, of more political parties in these discussions.
They committed themselves to undertaking all the urgent
tasks that are necessary to ensure a smooth and speedy
transition in Burundi.
Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda at 082 782 2575
Issued by the Presidency
Pretoria
06 August 2004.
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