Burundi: Gov't, opposition sign peace deal

  1. Posted on Sunday 7 December 2008 - 08:36
    mugira
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    Mugira Fredrick, AfricaNews reporter in Kampala, Uganda Photo: Jan Bierkens
    A Peace Agreement has been signed between the Government of Burundi and the opposition party - the Peripehutu of Agathon Rwasa hope to bring peace to the central African nation. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni presided over the signing as the regional Chairperson of Burundi Peace Initiative.
    Burundi. Photo: Jan Bierkens
    The one-day summit was witnessed by regional leaders who included the Zambian President, Rupia Banda and the Vice-President of Kenya, Kalonzo Musyoka in the Burundi capital of Bujumbura on Thursday.

    Other regional leaders who witnessed the historic ceremony were Prime Minister Musengo Punda of Tanzania and the President of the African Union (AU) Commission, Jean Ping.

    Under the Peace Agreement, the President of Peripehutu Party Rwasa, agreed on behalf of his party, to have their fighters assemble in designated areas, change the name of the party in line with the Burundi Constitutional requirements and the 33 senior members of the party to be absorbed in the government of Burundi.

    Other issues agreed upon in the peace agreement include the release of all political prisoners, combatants to assemble at designated points and civilians to resettle in their homes.

    President Museveni expressed his appreciation to note that power in Burundi is now derived from the people through democracy, saying it is the only guarantee to permanent peace.

    He hailed the three dimension package that involved national, regional and international efforts, describing the approach as the most effective in solving problems. Museveni noted that the strategy worked well in Southern Sudan, South Africa and now in Burundi.

    President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi thanked the regional initiative on Burundi under the Chairmanship of President Museveni, for their contribution to the peace process in his country. He called on them to ensure that permanent peace is realized in his country of Burundi.

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