Burundi peace agreement signed in S.Africa

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 03, 2003

Burundi peace agreement signed in S.Africa

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An agreement that will see Burundi's main rebel movement included in that country's transitional government and grants its members temporary immunity was signed on Sunday in Pretoria, executive capital of South Africa.

Following days of hard talks, the Burundian government and the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) agreed the latter would be included in the government within the next three weeks.

The CNDD-FDD will also be transformed into a political party, the South African Press Association reported.

All its leaders and combatants will receive temporary immunity,as will members of the government's security forces.

A joint commission will be established to study individual cases of civilians serving sentences to determine whether they also qualify for such immunity.

One of the documents signed is a forces technical agreement, which provides for detailed arrangements regarding the military.

"I believe with this agreement Burundi's problems are over," South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma -- who facilitated in the negotiations -- said after the signing ceremony on Sunday.

"This is an agreement you can defend, own and implement."

Pierre Nkuruzinza, leader of CNDD-FDD, said the deal was another important step towards the signing of an inclusive ceasefire for Burundi.

"We look forward very much to work with our brothers who were our enemies yesterday."

Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye hopes the agreement will lead to an end to hostilities. The one of Oct. 8 had already resulted in an improvement on the ground, he said.

"I hope the agreement signed today will be implemented in the very, very near future so we shall indeed be one."

A 10-year civil war between rebels of Burundi's Hutu majority and the army, dominated by minority Tutsis, has claimed about 300,000 lives.

Sunday's agreement followed a South African-brokered peace deal,which was signed on Oct. 8, giving officers' posts and ministerialpositions to the CNDD-FDD.

One outstanding issue is that of the composition of the senate.

The CNDD-FDD indicated it would not be able to participate in that body until the provisions in the transitional constitution regarding the powers of the senate had been changed.

"We've agreed that we would leave that matter in abeyance," South African President Thabo Mbeki told reporters.

If the CNDD-FDD wanted to raise the matter again at a later stage, the parties would be willing to discuss it, he said.

It would not hold up the implementation of the rest of the dealthough, the president said.

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