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Training of rebel groups denied

    NAIROBI

    Tanzanian Defence Minister Edgar Maokola-Majogo told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Friday that Bujumbura had finally conceded Tanzania did not provide military training to Burundian rebel groups, the 'Guardian' newspaper reported on Saturday. "We could never, ever train their rebels in order to fan the conflict in their country", said Maokola-Majogo.

    "After all, Tanzania is now tired of living with refugees," he added. Maokola-Majogo and Burundian Defence Minister Alfred Nkurunziza last week pledged to bolster security along their common border after talks in Kigoma, western Tanzania. News reports quoted the final communique as saying Tanzania promised not to allow Burundian rebel groups to use its territory as a rear base while Burundi pledged to improve internal security and create conducive conditions for the repatriation of refugees.

    Both sides also agreed to improve consultation and cooperation on border security issues, and to combat banditry by armed groups and undisciplined soldiers on the border and on Lake Tanganyika.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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