Rebel group confirms participation in Nairobi talks

One of Burundi’s main armed rebel groups, the Forces nationales pour la liberation (FNL-Palipehutu), has agreed to participate in Wednesday’s negotiations in Nairobi, aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the seven-year-old civil war. South African Vice-President Jacob Zuma was on Sunday quoted by the South African news agency (SAPA) as confirming the group’s participation. “They raised few issues, details of which initially made it difficult for them to travel to Nairobi for the talks. Their concerns have been sufficiently addressed, hence [their] agreeing to attend the talks,” Zuma said. Burundian President Pierre Buyoya, who travelled to Uganda to consult Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, is expected to attend the talks. The heads of state of Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Malawi are also expected to be present.