Tutsi parties write to Mandela over “unfinished business”

Ten pro-Tutsi parties under the G-10 banner on Tuesday wrote to the peace process facilitator, Nelson Mandela, expressing reservations over the signing of the peace agreement in Arusha on 28 August. The parties pointed out that there are “still important questions to be discussed such as the question of genocide against Tutsis, an electoral system acceptable to all ethnic groups, the institution and duration of the transitional period, the security forces, the cessation of hostilities and permanent ceasefire and guarantees which do not put the country under foreign domination,” the letter said, quoted by the Agence burundaise de presse (ABP). The Tutsi parties say the cannot sign “an accord which has not been agreed upon”. “We are going to Arusha to say no to Mandela and ask him in front of the heads of states to give us more time to negotiate,” said Mathias Hitimana, leader of the PRP, one of the 10 parties.