Mandela says army thinking is “far ahead” of politicians

Ex-South African president Nelson Mandela, who paid a quick visit to Burundi on Friday, said he was confident a breakthrough was imminent. Speaking before leaving Bujumbura the same day after talks with army commanders, the national assembly and President Pierre Buyoya, he said the defence force “is far ahead of the thinking of the politicians”. “They support negotiations without reservations,” news organisations quoted him as saying. Mandela apologised for his whirlwind tour and promised to return for longer at a later date. He said one of the major sticking points was integration of Hutus and rebels into the army, and he warned against “unilateral integration” outside the Arusha peace process. However, he commended officers for their “progressive statements”. “I am leaving Bujumbura confident that you have leaders of calibre who will rise to the challenge,” he said. “If we carry the army with us, then we have a clear view for a final peace.”