Share & more
The rebel Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces de defense pour la democratie (CNDD-FDD) will not participate in the Arusha peace process until its primary grievances are addressed, according to a statement released Thursday. However, it said it would continue the Libreville process of direct talks with the government “in the hopes of initiating a new peace process founded on realistic bases”.
The statement, signed by CNDD-FDD leader Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, listed several of its objections to the Arusha peace accord, including its belief that the sides negotiating in Arusha constitute a “political microcosm” that is non-representative of the political reality within Burundi. It also opposes the introduction of the principle of ethnic quotas - 50 percent of government posts for Hutus, 50 percent for Tutsis - which, it says, contradicts the National Charter of Unity. Furthermore the agreement is not clear on the integration of rebel forces into the national defence forces, and it tries to address too many current political problems without first having the primary belligerents negotiate a ceasefire.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions