Peace-building commission proposed, UN official says

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed the creation of a peace-building commission to settle problems in Burundi after the UN peacekeeping function is complete, UN Special Representative Carolyn McAskie said on Monday. She was speaking in the Burundi capital, Bujumbura, at the last session of the Implementation Monitoring Committee for Burundi. The committee, under UN chairmanship, was entrusted with ensuring the full and speedy implementation of the 2002 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi. McAskie said despite the end of the committee's mandate actions planned under the body would be implemented. She also said international support to the country would not cease. "The international community remains and will remain on the side of Burundians for their country’s reconstruction and development," she said. "All the main players will stay engaged," she added. She was referring to the roles played by the Great Lakes Regional Initiative, the African Union, the UN, and donors in bringing peace to the country. Speaking on behalf of the donors, the European Union ambassador to Burundi, Georges Marc André, said the numbers of donors supporting the country would increase. He added that EU would contribute to the cancellation of Burundian debt burden. The Implementation Monitoring Committee held its last and special session four days after the country's new president is due to be inaugurated for a five-year term. President-elect Pierre Nkurunziza period was elected on Friday by parliament with 91 percent of votes.