IMC notes "significant strides" and "a few difficulties"

The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) of the Burundi peace process "noted that significant strides had been made despite a few difficulties" during its eighth regular session held from 22 to 26 April in the capital, Bujumbura, a statement from the IMC said.

Primary among these strides, according to a source present at the talks, was the general functioning of the transitional national government established on 1 November 2001. "It's an operational and working institution now, comprised of representatives from all segments of society - which is fantastic for Burundians," a diplomatic source close to the IMC told IRIN on Tuesday. "The whole process is maturing."

Difficulties cited by the same diplomatic source included ongoing delays in the establishment of a Burundian special protection unit (to replace the South African forces that are currently ensuring the daily functioning of government institutions and the safety of politicians returned from exile) and in the reform of the military, both attributable in part to the lack of a ceasefire agreement between the government and rebel factions.

Also noted were claims by the myriad of political parties which constitute the transitional government that their representation in that government remained insufficient.

With regard to the ongoing repatriation of Burundian refugees from camps in neighbouring Tanzania, the IMC "congratulated and praised" the Burundi Minister for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Displaced Persons, Francoise Gendahayo, "for what has already been done for the refugees and displaced persons" of Burundi, according to the IMC statement.

While viewing the repatriations as a generally positive development in light of assurances given by both Gendahayo and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that returns had been and continued to be voluntary, the IMC made suggestions regarding what it termed "unresolved issues" - including continued insecurity, land allocation, and longer-term economic support for returnees, a source present at last week's meetings told IRIN.

Meanwhile, the Fondation Hirondelle, a Swiss-based nongovernmental organisation that specialises in using information for peace, reported last week that members of the IMC had accused the Burundi government of dragging its feet. "If the government had demonstrated its good faith [in the peace process], a number of outstanding issues would have already been resolved," Hirondelle cited one source as saying, referring to the issues of displaced populations and government and military reforms.

With regard to coordination between the IMC and government institutions, the IMC resolved to "take practical measures and make contacts with the Burundian authorities and relevant organisations" to improve their channels of communication. This could include the establishment of a permanent liaison office, the same source told IRIN.

The IMC also endorsed the recommendations made by the independent commission on political prisoners and prison conditions in Burundi, which have now been submitted to the transitional government for its reaction - anticipated at the next regular session of the IMC, tentatively scheduled to be held in Bujumbura from 24 to 28 June. Following a study conducted in December 2001 and January 2002, the independent commission presented the IMC in February with a report of their findings and recommendations for improvements to be made.