Statement by Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, Chairperson of the Political Directorate for the Burundi Peace Process

Bujumbura- I have noted with deep concern the statements by the Chairperson of the Palipehutu-FNL, Mr Agathon Rwasa, and by the Burundian Minister of Information and Communication, Ms Hafsa Mossi, respectively of Sunday, 6 July, and Wednesday, 9 July 2008.

I call on both parties to desist from any actions, including inflammatory statements, that could harden positions, breed distrust and further delay the conclusion of this last phase of the Burundi peace process..
A return to hostilities would have serious consequences for the Republic of Burundi and her people.    Not only would it once more lead to the needless loss of life,  it would deprive them of the peace, security and stability that they deserve and compromise the socio-economic development of Burundi.

Last month, on the 11th June 2008, the two parties and the Special Envoys for the Great Lakes Region, together, issued the Magaliesberg Declaration which was hailed by the International Community as an important step forward in the Burundi Peace Process.

I would like to remind both parties of the joint commitments they have made under that Declaration:

• To renounce violence and to resolve all their differences by dialogue;
• To fully respect the timelines outlined in the Revised Programme of Action to Take Further the Burundi Peace Process, thus concluding all aspects of the peace process. This includes the implementation of the 2006 Agreement of Principles; the 2006 Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement; and the integration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL in the national institutions. In this regard, they shall;

• Spare no efforts to complete all the steps outlined in the JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan, including the demarcation and establishment of Assembly Areas;
• Address simultaneously all the outstanding political issues, including the political accommodation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL in national institutions as well as their integration in the defence and security forces;
• Ensure that the resolution of these issues would not be used in any way as a precondition for implementing the JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan;
• Take specific initiatives in order to sensitize the national institutions, Palipehutu-FNL members, and the population on the ongoing peace process;
• Refrain from any inflammatory action or declaration;
• Endeavour to find as soon as possible a mutually acceptable solution to the question of the registration and the name of the Palipehutu-FNL as a political party;
• Abstain from all actions that might be perceived as fresh recruitment drives, particularly among children.

It is inevitable that the pursuit of these commitments requires genuine political will, sustained dialogue and compromise. 

In this spirit I will continue to meet with both parties, individually and within the forum of the Political Directorate, in order to assist them to live up to their commitments.   I call on the two parties to work with me and the other members of the Political Directorate within the forums we have together created to air their views and address the outstanding differences that seem to stand in the way of the patriotic vision they jointly outlined at Magaliesberg.

Remarkable progress has already been achieved in the Peace Process.  This includes, among  others, the return to Burundi of the Palipehutu-FNL including their Chairperson, Mr Agathon Rwasa, the signing of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities on 26 May 2008, the agreement reached on the establishment of three Assembly Areas, namely Rugazi, Kamina, and Mahande, as well as on the recent progress that has been made within the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM), in particular with regard to the agreement on 20 June 2008 to commence discussions on a Technical Forces Agreement (FTA), the progress made by the Joint Liaison Team on the release of Political and War Prisoners as well as the practical arrangements made to deal with allegations of Ceasefire Violations.

I was also greatly encouraged by the presence of the Chairperson of the Palipehutu-FNL, Mr Agathon Rwasa, at the Burundian Independence Celebrations on 1st July 2008 and at the warm words of welcome to him by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr Pierre Nkurunziza.

It is this spirit that must be nurtured so that we together can lay the foundation for the long term peace, stability and prosperity both parties want for Burundi and her people.

BUJUMBURA
10 JULY 2008