| Submit your comments on this article |
| Africa: East |
| Burundi Peace Agreement Is Signed |
| 2003-11-03 |
| Burundi’s president and main rebel leader signed a peace agreement Sunday, but efforts to end the decade-long civil war were threatened by renewed fighting between Tutsi-dominated government troops and other Hutu rebels. Heck of a rebel leader, signs the peace agreement and his boys keep fighting. Must be taking lessons from Arafish. Peter Nkurunziza, leader of the rebel Forces for the Defense of Democracy, said Sunday the deal with President Domitien Ndayizeye could lead to a cease-fire with all rebel groups in Burundi. At least one other group has resisted any agreement with the government and skirmishes continue. ``We look forward very much to work with our brothers who were our enemies yesterday South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who helped broker the deal, said the agreement signaled an end to the conflict in this central African nation. ``I believe with this agreement Burundi’s problems are over,’’ Zuma said. ``This is an agreement you can defend, own and implement.’’ The agreement allows Nkurunziza’s rebels to be included in the military and form a political party. Both government and rebel fighters will be granted temporary immunity from prosecution. Fighting flared up last week as the Hutu-dominated National Liberation Force clashed with the Tutsi-dominated army. Thousands fled their homes outside the capital, Bujumbura. Last-minute grab? The National Liberation Force is the only group that has refused to negotiate with Burundi’s transitional government. Two smaller rebel factions signed cease-fires in October 2002. Ndayizeye, a Hutu, heads a transitional government that took office in November 2001. His predecessor was a Tutsi. Tutsis are in the minority in Burundi, but have effectively controlled the country for all but a few months since it achieved independence in 1962. Let’s have a nice round of applause for the Belgians for this arrangement! |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 AP - souinds like it already did |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-11-3 9:51:29 AM |
| #1 So Steve---How long to you give this one before it falls apart? |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-11-3 1:29:43 AM |