Burundi
Burundi peace process at critical stage

afrol.com, 12 July - After two years of negotiations, the peace process in war-ravaged Burundi is at a critical stage. The International Crisis Group (ICG) releases today a report examining three issues that are potential deal breakers on the road to a final peace agreement: political parties, political prisoners and freedom of the press.

The mediator Nelson Mandela, on his latest visit to Bujumbura on 12-14 June 2000, strongly restated his support for demands made by leaders of Burundi's Hutu rebellion that President Pierre Buyoya's government release all political prisoners, regardless of their crimes, and restore the rights of political parties. The reaffirmation of freedoms of the press in Burundi has been an on-going priority for the mediator since March this year. 

The Burundian government has so far been unwilling to comply with these demands, stating as a reason the risk of alienating the Tutsi population. While this risk exists, the government needs to show good faith in its response to these issues if the peace process is not to fall apart. 

ICG's report presents many concrete policy recommendations to the mediator, the Burundian government and the international donor community, designed to steer the peace process through the sticking points of parties, prisoners and media freedom. 

Specifically, the report calls for: 

- the immediate restoration of political parties; unconditional and equal access to official media for all political parties and armed rebel groups; and the release of some political prisoners, such as those who have supported rebellion without being accused of bloodshed. 

- the disqualification of all individuals from the peace negotiations - and the future transition's institutions - who resort to defamation, propagation of ethnic hatred, or the use of violence. 

- international community financial backing for practical measures in support of such actions. 

Source: International Crisis Group

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