9 September 2007
Bujumbura — FNL-PALIPEHUTU has rejected Charles Nqakula as mediator a year after the ceasefire agreement was signed in Dar es Salaam.
FNL-PALIPEHUTU rejects Mr Nqakula's methodology and considers him to be an ally of the government of Bujumbura.
"We have informed the international community that our movement is no longer accepting Charles Nqakula as mediator because he showed that he is on the government side", FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana was quoted as saying.
He also indicated that the movement wants Nqakula and his team to be replaced. The movement accuses Mr. Nqakula of lacking impartiality that would lead to a successful implementation of the last September cease fire agreement. On August 16th, 2007, the Palipehutu spokesman stated that the movement has submitted a list of accusations that explain the mediator's partiality to the United Nation.
A year after this ceasefire agreement was reached during the 27th summit of the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi, major setbacks are apparent. Ransoms continue in stronghold regions of FNL-PALIPEHUTU, causing the population to flee with their livestock.
In a 20 page document issued on 7 September 2006, it was indicated that attacks on civilians would stop within 72 hours. Mr HABIMANA indicates that FNL must continue its raids since neither the UN nor the government of Bujumbura has supplied them with food. In 2005, a shortage of food supplies in the waiting area of Randa which was hosting CNDD-FDD combatants created similar concerns, but the issue was resolved within a week.
Talks within the monitoring team jammed on July 21st, 2007 after the members of the FNL delegations returned to the bush, claiming that their security was not assured. This was partially by the South African soldiers who accused the delegation of stealing their guns and ammunitions which were later found in the stock of the South African soldiers.
The Regional Initiative has set the deadline for the talks between both sides to end within a week. A summit of the Heads of States constituting the Regional Initiative for Peace will be held in DAR ES SALAAM this month. Although some sources indicated that president Nkurunziza will meet Rwasa in that summit, the movement's spokesman, Mr. Habimana Pasteur stated they have not yet received an invitation.
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