Burundi parties sign Magaliesberg pact
Michael Appel
18 June 2008
The Burundi government and rebel Palipehutu-FNL have agreed to end hostilities and work towards peace in their country through the Magaliesberg Communiqué on the Burundi Peace Process, signed in South Africa last Wednesday.
Meeting in Magaliesberg, North West province last week, the two parties agreed to respect the timelines outlined in a revised programme of action to further the Burundi Peace Process, including the implementation of agreements signed in 2006.
A group of special envoys on Burundi, with South African Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula heading the facilitation team, welcomed the commitment of both parties to move Burundi's peace process forward.
The group "noted with satisfaction the common messages delivered by the government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL on the root causes and consequences of the conflict as well as the key socio-economic challenges facing Burundi,” said South African special envoy to the Great Lakes region, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo.
The group congratulated both parties on the resumption of the work of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, the ending of hostilities, and the adoption of a joint operational plan on disarmament.
It also acknowledged "the financial and military assistance provided by the government of South Africa as well as that of Burundi's international partners in support of the Burundi peace process."
The special envoys appealed to all political actors in Burundi to refrain from any action that could jeopardise the progress achieved.
Another crucial action that needed to be undertaken was the registration of the Palipehutu-FNL as a political party in Burundi. The group of envoys "expressed its intention to support the transformation of the Palipehutu-FNL into a political party, including the provision of training of its cadres," Mamabolo said.
"The group of special envoys on Burundi will also pay special attention to the reintegration aspects of the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration process of former combatants.
"In order to help create an environment conducive to the peace process, the group of special envoys on Burundi agreed to consider ways of providing financial support to the government of Burundi to address the pressures caused by rising prices of food and fuel," Mamabolo concluded.
Source: BuaNews
