World Bank provides US $84.17 million for roads, demobilisation

The World Bank signed an agreement with the government of Burundi on Friday to provide US $84.17-million for the demobilisation of former combatants and the rehabilitation of the country's battered road network. Of the total, $51.17 million, in the form of a loan payable in 30 years starting 2014, will go to the rehabilitation of the roads. The director general of the roads, Jean Ngendakumana, told reporters that the 112-km Kayanza–Rugombo road, in the northwestern province of Cibitoke, and the road connecting Bujumbura to the Democratic Republic of the Congo were among those to be rehabilitated. He said the World Bank would initially release $20 million for 2004-2007. He also said part of the loan would meet the cost of shoring up the banks of the River Rusizi, to prevent flash floods which generally sweep through Gatumba villages in the Mutimbuzi Commune of Bujumbura Rural Province. Release of $33 million will be for the demobilisation of 55,000 former combatants. Col Mammert Sinarinzi, in charge of the country's disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme, said release of this money was on condition that the government issue a decree on the status of the combatants; define the status of combatants and the youth self-defence militia known as the Gardiens de la paix - Guardian of Peace; and provide guidelines for the disarmament and demobilisation programme. This will enable the government and its partners to determine exactly who a combatant is. Invited early last week to answer parliamentarians’questions, Defence Minister Vincent Niyungeko said it would be difficult to determine who a combatant was. "Normally, a combatant must have a weapon but in some rebel movements, many combatants share one weapon," he said. He said the problem was under study in the Joint Cease Fire Commission and the joint military command that were established in accordance with the 2000 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Accord. The transitional government was set up under this accord.