Rebel delegation arrives in Bujumbura on preparatory visit

A delegation of Burundi's largest rebel group, the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), led by secretary-general Hussein Radjabu, arrived in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, on Friday in what South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma described as a landmark visit. Zuma, who is also the facilitator of the Burundi peace process, arrived in Bujumbura on the same plane as Radjabu, who was making his first official visit to the country since civil war broke out in 1993. They were met by government officials and those of the African Union's mission in the country, who organised a military parade by 800 peacekeeping troops drawn from Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa. "I am very happy to be here today for this short visit which is different from other visits I have made before," Zuma told reporters at Bujumbura International Airport. "We are in Bujumbura because the CNDD-FDD delegation accompanying me needs to hold consultations with the African Union mission. He added, "This distinguishes this visit from the others I have made because it is an indication that peace has indeed arrived." Radjabu said their visit was aimed at preparing the return of CNDD-FDD leaders who are scheduled to join the transitional government and the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Commission (JCC) soon. "Firstly, we have come to hold discussions with the AU mission and the JCC to see if all conditions are in place for our members to join the JCC," he said. "I confirm that CNDD-FDD members will join the government, which is expected to be formed by 23 November," he added. Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye said at a news conference on Thursday that the timetable set up in Pretoria on 2 November, following the completion of talks on power sharing between the government and the CNDD-FDD, would be respected. "A government will be formed in three weeks from Sunday 2 November, I do not see any reason for not respecting this," he said. Regarding the refusal by the rebel Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) faction led by Agathon Rwasa to enter into negotiations with the government, Zuma said: "We will continue talking to them, they must come to negotiations, everyone has agreed, the government together with CNDD-FDD will persuade them to join the peace process, I am sure they will come." A regional summit is scheduled to begin on 14 November in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to endorse the Pretoria protocol on power sharing signed on 8 October between the government and Nkurunziza's faction.