Burundi ceasefire 'on the horizon'
David Masango
28 June 2006
South African Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, facilitator of the peace process between Burundi's government and the rebel group Palipehutu-FNL, is optimistic that a comprehensive ceasefire agreement will soon be reached.
The peace process is in its second phase, after the first phase, which started on 29 May, culminated with the signing on 18 June of the Dar-Es-Salaam Agreement of Principles Towards Lasting Peace, Security and Stability in Burundi.
The second phase seeks to design a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to bring about lasting peace in Burundi, based on principles already agreed to by all concerned.
Briefing the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday, Nqakula explained that the one of the elements of the accord was for the parties to stop all hostilities against each other, including armed operations and negative propaganda which could inflame the political situation.
"The ceasefire therefore seeks
to define what it means to stop hostilities," he added.
The second element, which Nqakula described as "problematic", relates to the composition of Burundi's defence and security forces.
"The first view is that the defence force requires transformation and modernisation, and therefore there are certain changes that must be brought to bear in that defence force.
"The rebel group, on the other side, believes that that force should be dismantled completely so that a new force can be established," Nqakula said, adding that he believed it was possible for an answer to be found.
He said that certain guarantees, such as monitoring and evaluation by outsiders, were needed to ensure that transformation was taking place in line with the Arusha Agreement.
Following the expected signing of the ceasefire agreement by 1 July, Nqakula said, the programme to repatriate members of the Palipehutu-FNL and other exiles would commence.
"Those are the people who, among
others, should be given immunity from arrest and prosecution, but this matter will be finalised by their national truth and reconciliation commission, which will determine what needs to be done with people who had committed atrocities in the course of the struggle in Burundi," Nqakula said.
However, he added that there were certain other things that had to be done apart from repatriation, including the proper resettlement of people.
"Also, Palipehutu-FNL itself will have to be registered as a political party so that they can participate in the political life of that country, and combatants of rebel groups will be expected to register as members of either the defence force or the security forces," he explained.
Source: BuaNews
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