PALIPEHUTU-FNL stays away from Pretoria talks

The rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL reiterated it would not be attending the parallel talks in Pretoria, South Africa, between government and rebel representatives. In an interview with the BBC Kirundi service, its political and military adviser Alain Mugabararbona said that until the movement was recognised as a party it would not take part in negotiations. He said they had to be recognised “not only as soldiers but also as politicians”. He again stressed that PALIPEHUTU-FNL would not sign a peace accord, and if it was signed in the movement’s absence “that is their own business”. “The day they realise that we have a say in our own country, they will call us to hear what we have to say,” he said. “They should know we have our own programme which we shall pursue”. The prospect of peace was “very remote”, he added.