AFRICA/BURUNDI - Cease-fire between the government and the last active rebel group. Will there really be peace?

Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - “Will there really be peace?” the people of Burundi are wondering after the umpteenth accord signed between Burundi’s government and the National Liberation Front (FNL), the last group of rebels remaining active in the country. The accord that was signed yesterday, May 26, in Bujumbura calls for immediate cease-fire. “The significance of this declaration for Burundi’s government and the Palipehutu-FNL is a complete end to the war from now on and that the people of Burundi can enjoy a lasting and stable peace,” the text of the accord read.
The signings took place under the mediation of South Africa, which sent a peace contingent to Burundi whose diplomacy is very active in the region of the Great Lakes. The accord comes after a series of military stand-offs begun on April 17 when troops of the FNL attacked parts of Bujumbura (see Fides 18/4/2008). In the following attack they even damaged the Nunciature (see Fides 23/5/2008). In 2006, the two rivals had already signed a preliminary cease-fire accord. However, this was not respected.
In the past month, the fighting between the army and the FNL guerrillas has gone on in spite of negotiation and proclamations of cease-fire. On May 19, both sides began dialoguing towards cease-fire and has made optimistic declarations on reaching an agreement. However, in the days that followed, new armed conflicts once again broke out between military soldiers and rebels.
The situation was characterized by an editorial in the Burundian daily “Burundi Realite” entitled: “Who’s afraid of peace?”. The article questioned whether or not there is really a desire for peace. “In order to reach peace, it matters very little who started the conflict, or who continued, or who responded, or who took more prisoners. What really counts is the desire to reach peace.” The daily paper also mentioned that, “the government gives the impression that it is afraid of peace. It is a curious paradox, because the return to peace would be viewed as their accomplishment.”
So, what are the obstacles blocking the way to national peace? According to the “Burundi Realite,” there are factors regarding some institutions who would prefer to maintain the FNL at war, in order to blame them for the country’s problems, especially the vandalism that marks many parts of Burundi, attributing all criminal action to the FNL. The instability caused by the guerilla warfare, moreover, is a justification for the private militias linked to the army generals and security measures that mostly affect members of the opposition.
Thus, it is urgently necessary that the declarations of principles be followed by concrete actions that show a true desire, on the part of the rivaling parties, to bring peace back to the country. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 27/05/2008; righe 36, parole 452)