Former rebel FNL faction becomes political party

The former rebel faction Forces nationales de liberation (FNL), led by Alain Mugabarabona, said on Saturday it had transformed itself into a political party and would soon apply for registration from the Ministry of Interior. "We held our first congress which targeted the transformation of the FNL movement into a political party known as 'Front national de liberation Icanzo, FNL Icanzo'," Mugabarabona said. Mugabarabona, who was elected leader of the party with 70 percent of votes, said the transformation was in line with a peace agreement of August 2000 designed to end Burundi's 10-year civil war, and a ceasfire agreement signed in Dar Es Salaam on 7 October 2002, both of which he said authorised former rebel movements to become political parties once they had begun to canton their fighters. The first group of Mugabarabona's FNL fighters were cantoned on 26 June. The FNL faction joined the transitional government of President Domitien Ndayizeye in May. The Arusha Accord for Peace and Reconciliation, signed in August 2000, provided for a three-year transitional period, during which Burundi was to be ruled by a Tutsi president, followed by a Hutu. Elections are due to be held in November 2004. Another faction of FNL, led by Agathon Rwasa, is the only rebel group to continue to refuse negotiations with the transitional government. Fighting between the army and this FNL faction has continued around the capital, Bujumbura.