CNDD warns it may mobilise against “imposed” transition

The rebel Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD), led by Leonard Nyangoma, has stated that 10 months after its signature, the Arusha peace accord is “not implementable” because the signatories have not yet agreed on the basic issues. In a statement, the CNDD - which is one of the signatories - noted that some of the key questions included the composition of the new security forces, a ceasefire accord, and the transitional institutions. “CNDD is disappointed to note that hardly had the accord been signed, it was violated many times,” the statement said.

It urged the facilitation team, led by former South African president Nelson Mandela, to allow more time for the parties to negotiate and “definitively conclude” the agreement. CNDD said it would not recognise any transitional institutions put in place before the conclusion of a comprehensive accord. “Furthermore, if the transitional institutions are imposed on the country, the CNDD reserves the right to mobilise the people to reject them by all possible means,” the statement warned.