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Talk
s 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 today, FDD secretary
general Hussein Radjabu said.
The tete a tete was part of talks involving African leaders aimed
at finding a way to end Burundi's 10-year civil war, which has
claimed some 300 000 lives.
"The government still does not want to give way," Radjabu said
enigmatically after two and a half hours of discussions between the
Burundi adversaries.
"The talks are not conclusive and we are adjourning the talks,"
said Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa who took part.
He did not give any date for a resumption of the
negotiations.
"There are a number of road blocks on our way, which need to be
removed," he added.
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 put back till
Sunday in Dar es-Salaam before being cancelled yet again.
The two protagonists met in a hotel in the presence of several
regional leaders: Mkapa, South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and
Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, who currently 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 FDD 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 currently 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. – Sapa-AFP.
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