Region threatens sanctions if Buyoya violates conditions

Regional leaders on Monday endorsed President Pierre Buyoya’s appointment as the first leader of Burundi’s transitional period but threatened sanctions if he violated a set of agreed conditions, the Hirondelle news agency reported. “In the event that the president of the transitional government fails to fulfil the conditionalities agreed to, the regional leaders will take all necessary measures, including sanctions to ensure compliance,” a communique issued by the regional summit in Arusha, Tanzania, said. “The region will also approach the United Nations Security Council and the international community at large to support the above measures.” Buyoya, a Tutsi, will lead the first half of the three-year transition, which begins on 1 November, with Domitien Ndayizeye, a Hutu who is secretary-general of the main opposition party FRODEBU, as his vice-president. The transition government is to include other signatories to the Arusha peace accord, signed last August. The communique stated that Buyoya agreed to undertake commitments to ensure full implementation of the Arusha peace accord, including army reform, inviting international peacekeepers, offering protection to returning exiles and relinquishing power at the end of the 18 month period.