24 August 2007
Bujumbura — The leader of Frodebu, MP Léonce Ngendakumana, is satisfied with the resumption of political talks. The leader of Frodebu, along with his assistant, Mr Frédéric Banvuginyumvira, met the Head of State on 22 August 2007 in Ngozi. MP Ngendakumana indicates that the Head of State promised that talks will continue in order to find a solution to the institutional crisis.
â-šWe are satisfied that we are to resume consultations to unblock the political and institutional deadlock in order to allow the population to pursue development's activities. We reviewed all problems that we had before and we agreed that we will resume the debate in order to find a common ground," MP Ngendakumana said.
Talks halted after the current cabinet was appointed on 13 July 2007. This cabinet was rejected by Frodebu and Uprona parties which considered it to be unconstitutional. Both parties protested by refusing to vote for laws in the national assembly. The Head of State launched a campaign in Rutana on Friday 3rd August 2007 to explain to the population that the cabinet was legitimate and to demonize members of the oppositional elements of parliament. The international community, church leaders and civil society have exerted strong pressure on the head of State to resume talks with political partners.
The Head of State will now resume talks with opposition political parties after the current political deadlock escalated into violence. Several opposition dignitaries were targeted in simultaneous attacks on Sunday 19 August. The main opposition party, FRODEBU, alleged the President of the Republic and his party to be responsible for these attacks.
The resumption of talks will, however, be delayed as the presidential couple has prepared preaching meetings in Gitega to celebrate two years in power.
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