Mandela to receive Burundian leaders

Former South African President Nelson Mandela was scheduled to meet representatives of the Burundian army, leaders of religious groups and socio-professional groups in Pretoria on 4 May, PANA reported on Thursday.

The report said Mandela would attempt to iron out the hitches that had so far prevented the 19 Burundian signatory parties - which are widely divided over who should lead the proposed new government institutions, as well as on the cessation of hostilities in the ongoing civil war - from reaching agreement.

The last meeting between Mandela and the Burundian parties engaged in peace talks was held last month, during a sub-regional summit of leaders involved in facilitating the inter-Burundian peace process. Over the past few months, South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma had undertaken several missions in a bid to re-open direct negotiations between the government in Bujumbura and rebel groups, the report said.