Burundi parties sign ceasefire
Dec 03, 2002
BREAKTHROUGH. Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and the leader of the rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), Pierre Nkurunziza, yesterday signed a historic ceasefire agreement aimed at ending a nine-year civil war in the tiny central African cou
By Emmy Allio and Agencies
BREAKTHROUGH. Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and the leader of the rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), Pierre Nkurunziza, yesterday signed a historic ceasefire agreement aimed at ending a nine-year civil war in the tiny central African country.
The agreement was worked out by the Burundi peace initiative spearheaded by President Yoweri Museveni.
It is the first time that the Bujumbura government and the main rebel group have signed such a pact since the civil war began in 1993.
The regional summit directed that following the agreement, the CNDD-FDD becomes a political party under a new law to be promulgated by the broadened transitional government.
The summit also directed that CNDD-FDD take part in the transitional government, the details of which would be discussed by the parties concerned.
After extensive discussions involving Buyoya, Nkurunziza and the transitional government, CNDD-FDD agreed to a ceasefire with effect from December 30.
The rebels took up arms with about 100 men in 1993. Nine years and some 300,000 deaths later, Burundi’s main Hutu rebel group now boasts 10,000 fighters.
The rebel group came into being after Burundi’s first democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu, was assassinated in a coup attempt on October 23, 1993.
Museveni, who chairs the regional initiative for peace in Burundi, and head mediator South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma also signed the document.
However, asked about the date the ceasefire takes effect, Museveni said, “It will start on December 30, taking into account the preparation needed by the two parties.â€
Zuma told reporters that the “people who have signed the ceasefire agreement have indicated they will stop fighting immediately.â€
The fighting has pitted the largely Tutsi army against a range of Hutu rebel groups.
Most of the victims of the conflict have been civilians. Ambroise Niyonsaba, the main negotiator for the government, said, “Within 72 hours there will be a cessation of hostilities.â€
BREAKTHROUGH. Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and the leader of the rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), Pierre Nkurunziza, yesterday signed a historic ceasefire agreement aimed at ending a nine-year civil war in the tiny central African country.
The agreement was worked out by the Burundi peace initiative spearheaded by President Yoweri Museveni.
It is the first time that the Bujumbura government and the main rebel group have signed such a pact since the civil war began in 1993.
The regional summit directed that following the agreement, the CNDD-FDD becomes a political party under a new law to be promulgated by the broadened transitional government.
The summit also directed that CNDD-FDD take part in the transitional government, the details of which would be discussed by the parties concerned.
After extensive discussions involving Buyoya, Nkurunziza and the transitional government, CNDD-FDD agreed to a ceasefire with effect from December 30.
The rebels took up arms with about 100 men in 1993. Nine years and some 300,000 deaths later, Burundi’s main Hutu rebel group now boasts 10,000 fighters.
The rebel group came into being after Burundi’s first democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu, was assassinated in a coup attempt on October 23, 1993.
Museveni, who chairs the regional initiative for peace in Burundi, and head mediator South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma also signed the document.
However, asked about the date the ceasefire takes effect, Museveni said, “It will start on December 30, taking into account the preparation needed by the two parties.â€
Zuma told reporters that the “people who have signed the ceasefire agreement have indicated they will stop fighting immediately.â€
The fighting has pitted the largely Tutsi army against a range of Hutu rebel groups.
Most of the victims of the conflict have been civilians. Ambroise Niyonsaba, the main negotiator for the government, said, “Within 72 hours there will be a cessation of hostilities.â€