12 January 2008
Bujumbura — MRC-Rurenzangemero supports the setup of a special commission in charge of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL issue. This is part of a statement that this party issued today.
MRC-Rurenzangemero adds that the aims and mission of this parliamentarian commission should be clearly stated in order to avoid interference with those of the government.
MRC-Rurenzangemero indicates that the government has failed in its mission because the FNL issue was not resolved last year. MRC-Rurenzangemero expresses its concern over the stalemate in the peace process. This party also mentions that it cannot accept that two parties can block the whole peace process for the sake of protecting their own interests in the coming elections.
MRC-Rurenzangemero has so far been treated as a very close ally of the ruling party, and has frequently supported the policies of the government. Presently, all parties except the CNDD-FDD, represented in the national assembly have demanded the setup of a special commission to look into the blockage that arose in the peace process after the facilitator Charles Nqakula became the target of criticism. Setting up this commission seems not to be the priority of the ruling party which fears loosing political posts and votes to PALIPEHUTU-FNL.
PALIPEHUTU-FNL still rejects Nqakula mediation in Burundi's peace process. Even some members of the parliament have agreed to help the government to bring back PALIPEHUTU-FNL to the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism but without Charles Nqakula as a facilitator.
Sources indicate that Charles Nqakula is due to arrive in Dar Es Salaam next Sunday. Nqukula is seeking to restart Burundi's peace process after four months of stalemate and wrangling. FNL leaders say that they are ready to attend talks headed by Nqakula in Dar Es Salaam if they are sent an official invitation.
The ultimatum that was given to PALIPEHUTU-FNL to return to the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism expired on 31 December 2007. This ultimatum designed to put pressure on PALIPEHUTU-FNL has proved fruitless. The region has resolved to impose sanctions on PALIPEHUTU-FNL leaders. The consensus of all politicians in Burundi, however, does not approve of these sanctions.
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