10 Jul 2006: ISS Today: Burundi: Ceasefire Negotiations Delayed to 13 July

10 July 2006: Burundi: Ceasefire Negotiations Delayed to 13 July
UN-IRIN

Negotiations between the Burundian government and the remaining rebel group, the Forces nationals de liberation (FNL) have been postponed until 13 July after the parties failed to agree a permanent truce, mediators said.

Commentary

The deadline of 2 July, set by the negotiators and agreed by the participants to the latest Burundi peace talks, aimed at bringing the last rebel group into the political mainstream, have proven unrealistic. As anticipated, the rebel demand that the Burundian army be completely reconstituted proved impossible for the government to accept, since this would have thrown into question all that had been achieved so far in achieving a peaceful outcome to years of civil conflict.

The South African mediators, having failed to secure face-to-face talks between the principals, postponed further meetings until 13 July to allow the FNL to engage in internal dialogue.

In the meantime, a suspected rebel ambush, the arrest last week of three prominent FNL leaders, and the killing of 13 alleged rebels by the Burundian security forces, may have heightened tensions, but apparently have not derailed the process. Elements within the Burundian security establishment are evidently determined to continue exerting military pressure until the signing of a comprehensive ceasefire. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 13 FNL cadres are particularly troubling, with some local NGOs claiming that many of them were executed. The Burundian army has promised an investigation into these allegations.

Tanzania’s President Kikwete, whose government is hosting the talks, has urged FNL leader Agathon Rwasa to realise that the changes he seeks to the government and army can be achieved only once his movement takes up its place within the system. He has reminded the FNL that their particular peace agreement can only be grafted on to what was eventually accomplished by the protracted Arusha process. 

One is still inclined to feel optimistic that this last hurdle can be overcome, and the diplomatic pressure on Rwasa to compromise on his position regarding the security forces could well prove decisive. Should it not, then an excellent opportunity will have been missed to start rebuilding Burundi in a new image.

Richard Cornwell