Rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL will not take part in Arusha talks

The rebel group PALIPEHUTU-FNL has said it will not take part in the current round of Burundi peace talks, due to resume in the Tanzanian town of Arusha on Wednesday.

The movement’s politico-military adviser, Alain Mughbarabona, told IRIN that PALIPEHUTU-FNL representatives were in touch with the mediation team of former South African president Nelson Mandela and “as soon as the situation is sorted out, we shall take part.” He stressed that the group was in favour of peace negotiations.

There had been much speculation as to whether the Cossan Kabura, the leader of PALIPEHUTU-FNL (Parti pour la liberation du peuple hutu-Forces nationales de liberation) would attend the peace talks for the first time.
The movement had indicated it would participate, along with Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, the leader of the other main rebel group, Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), also previously excluded from the peace process. The latter arrived in Arusha on Tuesday.

Mughbarabona his movement was unhappy about several issues, including the methodology and the way the negotiations were developing. He reiterated the concerns contained in a recent letter from Kabura to Mandela. In the letter, a copy of which was received by IRIN this week, Kabura accused the mediator of a lack of “objectivity” and warned that unless the “intrigues” were removed from the process, there would be more bloodshed.

Kabura said he was “shocked” by Mandela’s demands that the FNL cease military operations during the Arusha talks or risk being “left behind”. “I think menace is not the right way to make us a sign a ceasefire,” Kabura stated. “How should I be forced to sign an agreement which has been worked out in my absence and without being invited?”