Minister Charles Nqakula expresses confidence that a Burundi Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement will be signed in Dar Es Salaam on 7 September 2006

Dar Es Salaam: The South African Minister of Safety and Security and the facilitator of the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi, Minister Charles Nqakula arrived in Dar Es Salaam on Monday, 4 September 2006 to facilitate the signing of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL on Thursday 7 September 2006.

Addressing a meeting of technical experts including members of the South African National Defence Force, South African Intelligence Services, the South African Embassy personnel and representatives from the Tanzanian and the Ugandan governments, Minister Nqakula expressed confidence that both the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL were committed to the peace process.

The Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement seeks to strengthen the earlier “Agreement of Principles Towards Lasting Peace, Security and Stability” signed between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL on 18 June 2006, which made a commitment to the following:
1. addressing the ethnic question, broadly identified as one of the mainsprings of the conflict
2. provisional immunity for members of the Palipehutu-FNL and its transformation into a political party
3. repatriation of refugees and return of displaced and regrouped persons
4. overhaul of the defence and security forces

In this regard, the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement, due for signing on Thursday, 7 September 2006 is expected to
1. Halt all hostilities, armed or otherwise including malicious public statements from both sides.
2. It will also unveil a programme for the repatriation of the Palipehutu-FNL leadership in the Great Lakes region and in the Diaspora including their protection while in transit and static protection in Burundi
3. disarming of Palipehutu-FNL combatants and their transportation to U.N. supervised cantonment areas

The Summit for the signing of the historic Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement will be attended by the co-sponsors of the Burundi peace initiative including President Yuweri Museveni of Uganda, the Chairperson of the Regional Initiative for peace in Burundi, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania (host and Deputy chair), President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Mr. Kofi Anan, Secretary of the U.N. and Mr. Alpha Konare, Chairperson of the A.U. Commission.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Vincent Hlongwane-+27385 1169

Issued by the office of the facilitator of the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi
South African High Commission
Dar Es Salaam
Tanzania
4 September 2006