Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) – A new stage in the peace process in Burundi has opened following the return of the National Liberation Force (FNL), Agathon Rwasa, to Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. The FNL is the last of the remaining rebel groups active in the country.
Rwasa returned to Bujumbura on May 30, aboard a flight of a South African airline. The return of the FNL leader forms part of the accord that was signed May 26 in Bujumbura, thanks to South African diplomatic efforts.
On June 9, in South Africa’s Sun City, 40 km from Johannesburg, a two-day meeting began, attended by representatives from the Burundi government, Agathon Rwasa, and mediators of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union (UA). The focus of the meeting is the mode of distributing powers on a political and military level, between the FNL and the regime of President Pierre Nkurunziza.
“We cannot go backwards, we have come together to move forward,” the Burundi government representative Ndayishimié Pasteur said. He later added, “This is a great sign we are sending to the international community.”
The FNL have presented a document enumerating their conditions for disarmament and demobilization of their troops prior to their inclusion in the police force or the military. These conditions hinge on two points: immunity for the troops and official recognition of the organization by the government.
The treaty will also take into consideration the accusations of the Burundi government, that denounces the massive recruitment carried out by the FNL, accusations denied by Agathon Rwasa.
International analysts are therefore optimistic regarding the possibility of reaching a definitive accord that could place an end to the war, which has lasted over a decade and has caused the deaths of over 300,000 people. It has also contributed to the general instability of the Great Lakes Region. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/6/2008)
