Rebels given more time

The peace process mediator, Nelson Mandela, has given the armed rebel groups more time to reconsider their positions and accept a ceasefire, according to the Internews press service. He extended the offer during separate talks in South Africa last week with CNDD-FDD leader Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye and PALIPEHUTU-FNL chief Cossan Kabura. He asked them to go back to their supporters and hold further discussions on suspending hostilities in the war against the Burundian army. Internews quoted the head of the facilitation team, Judge Mark Bomani, as saying Mandela was optimistic of a breakthrough. The rebel leaders are due to return to South Africa after a meeting of the 19 signatories to the Arusha peace accord in the northern Tanzanian town on 25 November. Internews said this was expected to be the last Arusha session before the process moves to Bujumbura. The session is due to discuss pending issues such as the transitional leadership, implementation timetable, return of refugees and ceasefire arrangements. It will also establish the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) which will oversee the peace deal.

President Pierre Buyoya meanwhile reiterated that a ceasefire must be in place before tackling issues such as the country’s transitional institutions and implementation of the Arusha accord. Speaking in the northwestern city of Bubanza on Saturday, he also expressed optimism that the rebels would opt for a ceasefire, the Agence burundaise de presse (ABP) reported. “Bargaining and procrastination in the national assembly on the subject of the Arusha accord must stop,” Buyoya stated. “It is not in the public interest and hampers the peace process.”