Bujumburaa — The Burundi Head of State Pierre Nkurunziza has appointed Festus Ntanyungu as the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The announcement was made by today on August 10th , 2007 in Muyinga during a meeting with administration officers in Muyinga province. Festus Ntanyungu will be assisted by Mrs Françoise NGENDAHAYO. This commission is due to start consultations with the population in September to shed a light on a number of massacres and killings that plunged into mourning the State of Burundi since its 1962 independence from Belgium.

The setup of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was implemented during the Arusha Peace Agreement and it follows the South African model. This appointment might heighten the current crisis as there were no prior consultations with the opposition parties.