7 October 2007
Bujumbura — Charles Nqakula, the mediator of talks between the Burundian government and the last active hold-out rebel movement is visiting Burundi.
Charles Nqakula said that the implementation of the deal between the government of Burundi and FNL-PALIPEHUTU must be finalized before 31 December of this year.
Nqakula is visiting as part of his work toward reviving the peace process which jammed after an FNL delegation walked out on the ceasefire monitoring team. This move was taken after the South African peacekeepers serving under the African Union accused the FNL delegation of stealing their rifles, only to find that these allegations were groundless as these weapons were later found in their own arsenal.
Palipehutu-Fnl has already rejected Nqakula and his mediation team, claiming that they are partial to the government side. In late August, the movement's spokesman, Pasteur Habimana stated that PALIPEHUTU-FNL has sent a list of accusations to the United Nations explaining Nqakula's partiality to Burundi government.
Charles Nqakula said that he was chosen by head of state of the regional initiative for peace in Burundi to act as the mediator in Burundi's conflict.
Two groups of dissidents have appeared within this armed political movement in a span of three months. The latest to appear is led by Lt Colonel Nestor Banzubaze, known under the nickname of Barnes, a former CNDD-FDD combatant from 1995 to 2003 and who deserted the National Defence Force two years ago for PALIPEHUTU-FNL.
The PALIPEHUTU-FNL has allegedly accused the South African mediation team of playing a major financial role in supporting these dissidents.
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