Annan to formally launch UN mission in June

UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan has announced that he would formally establish the UN Operation in Burundi on 1 June, following a UN Security Council decision on Friday to deploy peacekeeping troops. The African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), deployed by the African Union (AU) in April 2003, would at the same time become UN troops, Annan said on Friday in a statement in reaction to the council's decision. Saying that the council's decision "opens a new chapter in the Burundi peace process", Annan called on all Burundians and their leaders to take advantage of the "unique opportunity to further pursue national reconciliation and facilitate the preparation of national elections". On its part, the AU welcomed on Saturday the council's decision to deploy the peacekeeping operation for an initial period of six months. "This decision, which comes at a critical juncture in the peace and reconciliation process in Burundi, will facilitate and sustain the ongoing efforts to bring to a definite end the conflict that has been ravaging the country for more than a decade now," the AU said. AU had deployed 2,600 troops to Burundi to oversee the implementation of ceasefire agreements signed between various rebel groups and the transitional government, pending the deployment of UN peacekeepers. In his statement, Annan said that while the success of the UN mission would depend on the political will of the Burundian parties, he encouraged donor countries to respond generously and to complement the efforts of the peacekeeping operation, especially in security sector reform, good governance, preparations of elections, reintegration of former combatants and economic development. At the same time, Annan called on the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) rebel faction headed by Agathon Rwasa to sign a ceasefire agreement with the government and join the peace process "without further delay". Rwasa's FNL is the only rebel group that has refused to enter into peace negotiations with the government, and continues to stage sporadic attacks in and around the Burundian capital, Bujumbura. On Friday, Security Council members unanimously approved the establishment of the UN mission in Burundi, where some 5,650 military personnel would be deployed to help restore peace and bring about national reconciliation. In a statement, the council said in addition to the troops, the mission would include 200 military observers, 125 staff officers, a maximum of 120 civilian police, as well as civilian personnel.