Issued by: Office of the Presidency
5 August 2002
Negotiations aimed at achieving a seasefire agreement between the Transitional Government of Burundi and the Burundian armed opposition groups will begin in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania tomorrow.
South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma and President Omar Bongo of Gabon were tasked by the Heads of States of the Great Lakes region, at the recommendation of Former President Nelson Mandela, to work towards a ceasefire agreement between the Burundi government and the armed groups the CNDD/FDD led by pierre Nkurunziza, CNDD-FDD led by Jean Bosco Noayikengurukiye and the Palipehutu FNL led by Rwasa Agathon.
The negotiations will begin with preliminary consultations at a technical level tomorrow, 6 August 2002, followed by three weeks of actual ceasefire negotiations, which will begin on Monday 12 August 2002, chaired by Deputy President Zuma.
Deputy President Zuma met with President Pierre Buyoya of Burundi in Pretoria last night, 4 August 2002, as part of the pre-talks consultations.
"We are encouraged by the willingness and commitment of all parties to come to the negotiations table for an intensive three weeks, and we believe that a solution will be found soon, to bring an end to the loss of life and displacement of thousands of Burundians," said Deputy President Zuma.
At the conclusion of the negotiations, the 18th Regional Summit on Burundi will take place, where Heads of State will be briefed on progress made and advise on the way forward.
The Chairperson of the regional Initiative on Burundi, President Yoweri Kaguta Musenveni of Uganda, will announce the date for the regional Summit soon.