24 September 2007
Bujumbura — Burundi celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 20th. The minister of solidarity, Mrs Immaculée Nahayo, indicated that this day is celebrated after a ceasefire agreement with the last rebel movement, PALIPEHUTU-FNL has been reached. The minister of solidarity seems to be satisfied with the current progress of the peace process although talks with FNL have frozen following the government's inertia in implementing the agreement.
Negotiations have reverted back to square one. In the meantime, the conflicting parties are hardening their stances. Leaders of PALIPEHUTU-FNL want a new mediation team and a new mediator before resuming talks with the government of Bujumbura. The international community is divided over the appointment of a new mediator and has resumed giving financial support to the government of Burundi after talks with prominent opposition political parties resumed.
Amidst this wrangling, armed gangs continue to target civilians. On the night of September 19th, Basasagare Kennedy, an inhabitant of the Bubanza quarter of the Kinama commune in the mayorship of Bujumbura, was shot dead by an unidentified gang. Buterere and Kinama are two communes of Bujumbura city which are located close to positions held by combatants of PALIPEHUTU-FNL. The citizens of these two communes live in constant fear each time a standoff between the two conflicting factions of PALIPEHUTU-FNL flares up.
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