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Africa News afrol News
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Africa News afrol News
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afrol.com / AENS, 24 November - Burundian President Pierre Buyoya on Friday rejected rebel demands that he release all political prisoners as a pre-condition to the implementation of the Burundi Peace Agreement. Buyoya told journalists at a specially convened media briefing in Malawi's commercial capital Blantyre that rebels were demanding he release all political prisoners before they discuss signing an existing peace accord to end seven-years of civil war. Rival political leaders signed the ceasefire between Burundi's army, dominated by the Tutsi minority, and various Hutu insurgent groups, in August but the two main rebel groups have refused to ratify the accord. - Government cannot just release prisoners because rebels make demands. The two rebel factions who refuse to sign the Peace Agreement are running out of excuses, and now make lame excuses, said Buyoya. "That is why they insist government must release political prisoners." Buyoya did not comment directly on reports that he met Jean Minani, leader of Burundi's main Hutu opposition party, the Front for Democracy (Frodebu), in Malawi on Thursday. Buyoya unexpected extended a two-day State visit to Malawi for discussions with President Malaeian Bakili Muluzi from Wednesday to Friday after Minani and two of his top aides flew into Malawi's colonial capital of Zomba, roughly 60km from Blantyre. Muluzi's spokesman Willie Zingani confirmed that Buyoya and Minani were both in the country, but refused to confirm whether they met or comment on the content of Muluzi's discussions with Buyoya. Buyoya insisted on Friday that the rebels come to the negotiating table without pre-conditions, so that concerns by all other parties could be addressed simultaneously. "Everyone must table their concerns during negotiations, not by making pre-conditions to the peace talks," said Buyoya. - It is never easy to bring peace to armed conflicts, he said. "I cannot say when peace will come to Burundi, but am optimistic the current peace efforts will one day bear fruits." Buyoya also warned that the continuing conflict, war talk and uncertainty was hampering attempts to rebuild the country's shattered economy. He praised former South African President Nelson Mandela and Muluzi for "extraordinary" attempts to bring peace to the region. Muluzi welcomed the praise and said Malawi would always extend its support for anyone attempting to bring peace to Burundi and other troubled central African nations. The Frodebu delegation included party secretary general Charles Karikurubu, and Frodebu representative in Brussels, Deo Ngendahayo. Buyoya's entourage included cabinet ministers, senior government officials and his wife Sophie. No official reason has been given yet for the unexpected extension of the visit, but Buyoya's wife was spotted shopping in Blantyre with Malawi's First Lady, Shanil Muluzi, just before the Burundian departure on Friday. By Brian Ligomeka,
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