Ceasefire issue cannot halt peace process - Ajello

The Burundi peace process “has to go on”, even though the talks must continue without a ceasefire being in place, European Union (EU) Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Aldo Ajello said on Friday. EU assistance to Burundi would be tied to positive developments in the peace process, which must continue with what can be achieved even while other issues - like the crucial need for a ceasefire - Ajello told journalists in Bujumbura after a three-day visit to Burundi. “The ceasefire problem should be settled because it proved to be serious recently [with the FNL attack on Bujumbura], though this does not mean in any way that we should stop the peace process and wait,” he told Radio Burundi. “Let the peace process go on while these things that are achievable are pursued. What is left can be settled depending on the urgency they deserve,” he added. Burundi President Pierre Buyoya said earlier this month that it was “not appropriate” to implement the general terms of the Arusha peace accord, and particularly to put in place transitional institutions of state, while violence persisted.

Ajello stressed on Friday that “nobody is going to take any decisions in place of the Burundians,” AFP reported on Saturday. The EU envoy said he was addressing fears expressed in some quarters that the peace facilitator, Nelson Mandela, might himself choose the transitional leadership in the absence of agreement between the signatories of the Arusha accord.