Independent report hails progress in peace process

An analysis of the peace process underway in Burundi has stated that the country "has and continues to make vast strides towards all-inclusive negotiations". The report, prepared by 'Search for Common Ground' in Washington and 'The Centre for Conflict Resolution' in Cape Town, noted that while virtually all the other countries in the Great Lakes region were involved in "intractable and escalating conflicts", Burundi was the only country "actively talking to and negotiating with all political groupings, whether armed or not". "The fact that the rebels cannot defeat the army, and vice versa, creates the kind of stalemate that further encourages a negotiated settlement," the report said. Urging international support for the ongoing internal and external peace processes, the report stated that the "positive impact a truly successful peace process in Burundi can have on the rest of this very troubled region can be immense".