New political grouping established

Nine Burundian parties have created a vast political grouping aimed at bringing about peace and reconciliation. In a statement sent to IRIN on Monday, the new group - Convergence nationale pour la paix et la reconciliation (CNPR) - said the situation in the country “regrettably is progressively deteriorating leading to the risk of confrontation and rendering the population...nervous and desperate”. The nine parties include UPRONA, FRODEBU (internal), and the small predominantly-Tutsi parties RADDES, ANNADE, INKINZO, PIT, Parti Liberal, PRP, and PSD. The statement said Burundi’s conflict was “partly based on fear, suspicion and mistrust” and that the CNPR’s aim was to bring about a “massive national consensus” for peace. Regional analysts told IRIN the creation of the CNPR comes at a time when the Arusha process appears to be floundering and President Pierre Buyoya is likely to take advantage of this to reinforce the internal partnership. It is noteworthy, the analysts point out, that the group comprises the smaller Tutsi parties who, in times of trouble, are the “ears and eyes” of Tutsis whose support Buyoya badly needs to strengthen his power base. The internal FRODEBU party, led by Augustin Nzojibwami, is close to the president and may be negotiating with CNDD-FDD on behalf of the government, as Nzojibwami is the cousin of CNDD-FDD leader, Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye. Interviewed by Burundi radio, Nzojibwami said the CNPR “does not replace the ‘partenariat’” but is aimed at reinforcing it. “Today, the urgent need is to restore peace to the country,” he stressed.