Burundi talks hit major snag

2003-09-16 10:03

Dar Es-Salaam - Talks between Burundi's President Domitien Ndayizeye and Pierre Nkurunziza, head of the main Hutu rebel group, the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), failed here early on Tuesday, said FDD secretary-general Hussein Radjabu.

Their meeting was part of talks involving African leaders aimed at finding a way to end Burundi's 10-year civil war, which has claimed about 300 000 lives.

Radjabu said enigmatically after 2½ hours of discussions between the Burundi adversaries: "The government still does not want to give way.

"The talks are not conclusive and we are adjourning the talks."

On the table at the 22nd regional summit on Burundi was a draft agreement providing for power-sharing by the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, prepared by mediators from South Africa, host country Tanzania and Mozambique.

The meeting between Ndayizeye and the rebel chief had been initially planned for September 9 in Kampala and then was put back until Sunday in Dar es-Salaam before being cancelled yet again.

Ceasefire never implemented

The two protagonists met in a hotel in the presence of several regional leaders, among them President Thabo Mbeki and Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, who heads the African Union, plus the main mediator in the Burundi conflict, South African vice-president Jacob Zuma.

The discussions were part of a drawn-out effort to persuade the Bujumbura government and the main Hutu rebel group to abide by the ceasefire they signed last December, but have never implemented.

Before leaving Bujumbura for the meeting, Ndayizeye had indicated that he was ready to make concessions but said the FDD, which is seeking greater participation in the army and government, would have to do the same.

The Hutu rebels have demanded the post of vice-president in a new government line-up, 28 cabinet posts and 40% of parliamentary seats, as well as the army chief of staff, half the officer corps and 40% of troops.

The army is dominated by Tutsis, who make up less than 15% of the population, against the Hutus' 85%. President Ndayizeye is a Hutu, however, while his deputy is a Tutsi.

- AFP