Implementation of ceasefire agreement delayed

The definitive implementation of a ceasefire agreement between the transitional government of Burundi and a rebel group, due to have come into force on Monday, has been delayed. A statement issued by Foreign Minister Terence Sinunguruza on Monday said implementation was contingent upon the arrival of an African mission to monitor the application of the ceasefire accord and set up cantonment camps, and the establishment of a joint ceasefire commission. He said that apart from these two issues, there were also "military and political questions" to be discussed by the government and the main faction of rebel group, Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), led by Pierre Nkurunziza. "The government is ready to start the debate at any stage," Sinunguruza said. He added that that "there was no doubt" that the African mission would arrive in the early days of January 2003. "The Burundi people need to keep hope, because the peace process is under way," he said. The transitional government signed the ceasefire accord with the main CNDD-FDD faction on 3 December. According to the accord, both sides were to have ended hostilities within 72 hours of the signing of the agreement, with a definitive truce coming into force on 30 December.