Deliberations continue in Arusha

The negotiating sides in the Burundi peace process continued their deliberations in the Tanzanian town of Arusha on Thursday, the day the facilitator, ex-South African President Nelson Mandela, wanted to see the peace accord signed, sealed and delivered. The date has now been put back to 28 August. On Wednesday, he had closed-door talks with regional leaders, discussing the key outstanding issues of a possible ceasefire and who will lead the transition, the Internews service reported. Mandela told a news conference that Burundian parties should decide on who will lead the transitional government.

Regarding a ceasefire, he said there was no unanimity of views between the various sides and this still had to be thrashed out. However, he expressed optimism that the 28 August deadline would be adhered to. “There is no reason to doubt they [the negotiating sides] will do so [sign the treaty],” he told journalists. “It seems to me that once these two questions...are sorted out, there will be an agreement.” He expressed disappointment that the rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL had not come to Arusha, but stressed that the other armed rebel faction, CNDD-FDD, was there and had made “positive contributions”. [See also separate item of 20 July: IRIN Focus on the Burundi peace process]