Mozambique, South Africa set condition for full deployment of peacekeepers

Mozambique and South Africa, two of the three countries contributing African Union (AU) peacekeeping troops to Burundi, will only deploy all of their contingents when the number of rebel combatants reporting to cantonment centres increases significantly, South African Defence Minister Patrick Mosiwo Lekota told IRIN on Thursday. "We are ready to deploy, even Ethiopia [the third country] is ready to deploy troops, but we have to watch whether the numbers of cantoned combatants justifies the deployment of a large number of peacekeepers," he said, at the end of a one-day visit to the Burundian capital, Bujumbura. He was with the Mozambican deputy defence minister, Henrique Banze. The two were in the country to discuss with AU officials the funding of the peacekeeping force, known as the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB). They were also in the country to inspect the cantonment process. "We must deploy the troops when we see that many former combatants are coming forward for cantonment," Lekota said. "We will also be guided by the response of the ex-combatants." Cantonment and demobilisation of former rebel fighters began at the end of June, as part of the implementation of ceasefire agreements signed in 2002 between the transitional government in Burundi and various rebel movements. Lekota said that although the AMIB deployment was affected by inadequate funding, the AU troops could not deploy in large numbers if the ex-combatants came in small numbers for cantonment. "If they come in large numbers, then we can rush in, otherwise we could bring troops here and they would sit idle as there would be nobody in the cantonment area," he said. Out of a 3,099-strong AMIB force, 1,600 South Africans are already in Burundi. Mozambique has agreed to send 228 soldiers but their date of arrival is yet to be determined. "I am here to check on the conditions for the Mozambican troops," Banze said. "When I return home, we will decide on a deployment date, we hope that part of the contingent will be deployed at least at the end of September." Only the cantonment camp at Muyange, 30 km northwest of Bujumbura, is operational. So far, 191 former combatants have reported to the site - 140 loyal to Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, leader of the smaller faction of the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces de defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD) and 51 loyal to the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) faction led by Alain Mugabarabona. The Muyange camp was initially supposed to accommodate between 2,500 and 3,000 former combatants of the two rebel movements. "It is important for the leaders of the various organisations to give us lists containing names of their combatants so that we can see how many are expected at the cantonment camps," Lekota said. He added that it was the responsibility of the rebel movements to urge their combatants to report to the demobilisation centres so that the peace process could move forward. During their visit, Lekota and Banze visited the Muyange camp, where they found that most of the former combatants were young and in need of training. "We think that there is need to act very quickly," he said. "We recommended that they be trained either to join the armed forces or to serve in VIP protection for the country's leaders." The Muyange camp is manned by South African peacekeepers. Lekota suggested that some of the former fighters be trained to take over some of the tasks performed by the South African soldiers. Although three rebel movements have signed ceasefire agreements with the government, fighting has continued across the country. Only one group, the larger FNL faction led by Agathon Rwasa, continues to reject negotiations with the government. It is yet to sign a ceasefire agreement with the government. "We need to encourage this movement [Rwasa's FNL] to join the peace process," Lekota said. Funding of AMIB dominated discussions between the two and the AU officials in Bujumbura. "We had a good meeting, we expect to see quick developments," he said. "We were also briefed that preparations were on for a conference donors wishing to contribute funds to support this mission, the conference will be held in South Africa," Lekota said.