BuaNews (Tshwane)
18 June 2008
Bujumbura — Following the recent meeting between the Burundi government and the rebel group Palipehutu-FNL in South Africa, the parties have agreed on six pre-assembly areas for returning combatants.
The Burundi government and the rebel movement met in Magaliesberg, outside Johannesburg earlier this month to discuss steps to be taken to ensure an end to the hostilities and lasting peace.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, following the meeting of the Group of Special Envoys for Burundi, both parties agreed to move to the first assembly area in Rugazi, in the Bubanza Province on Monday.
Furthermore, the parties agreed on the identification of six pre-assembly areas and two additional assembly areas in Kimina, Bujumura Rural Province, and Mahande, Cibitoke Province.
This is a big decision, as it is the first step towards the demobilisation of Palipehutu-FNL combatants, said the department said in a statement.
It is further evidence of both parties' commitment to peace, and an expression of a common message that they have continually expressed for nearly one month.
This much awaited decision comes as the Chairman of Palipehutu-FNL, Agathon Rwasa, returned to Burundi and the resumption of the work of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) and the end of hostilities between the parties, the department said.
All parties involved in the peace process, including South Africa's own facilitation team headed by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, see the steps taken as willingness from both parties to commit to peace.
The Political Directorate said it would continue to support the people of Burundi in all their efforts to conclude the peace process and appealed to the international community to also continue contributing to the success of the process.
The Political Directorate for the Burundi Peace Process was established by the facilitator, Mr Nqakula, to deal with political issues related to the peace process in Burundi.
It is chaired by Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, South African Special Envoy for the Great Lakes area.
Its membership comprises the Ambassadors to Burundi of Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, the regional initiative countries, as well as representatives of the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU).
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