Rebels fail to show up for talks

Rebels of the Forces pour la defence de la democratie (FDD) failed to show up at a meeting between the movement and government representatives, organised by the Burundi peace mediator, Nelson Mandela this week. "This is the fourth time we have travelled to South Africa to meet the rebels, but they do not show up," a government official told IRIN on Thursday. "The president [Pierre Buyoya] was here with us, ready to meet them. It clearly just shows that they do not want peace." He said the group was expected in Cape Town, South Africa last Sunday, "but word came that they were not coming". "They gave no reason for their absence despite the fact that they had initially confirmed their participation to the mediator," he said.