Arusha talks resume

Heads of 19 delegations taking part in the Arusha peace process arrived in the northern Tanzanian town over the weekend for another round of talks which began on Monday, the Hirondelle news agency reported. At the same time, parallel talks are underway in South Africa between Burundian government, army and rebel representatives, and the facilitator Nelson Mandela. This week’s Arusha talks will focus on “outstanding issues”, ahead of the proposed 28 August date for signing a peace accord, the facilitation team said. These include who will lead the transition, agreeing on a ceasefire and possible amnesty arrangements. The South African talks, meanwhile, will centre on a cessation of hostilities, restructuring the army and demobilisation.