Warning to Burundi's peacemakers

Tutsi army officers have led a number of coups

By BBC News Online's Russell Smith

Reports of a second coup attempt within three months in Burundi suggest severe difficulties for President Pierre Buyoya's government at a crucial time.

The government has been fully participating in efforts to end an eight-year long civil war between the Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebels and peace talks are at a delicate stage.

Many Hutu and Tutsi parties are involved in the talks, mediated by former South African President Nelson Mandela. They are expected to rubber stamp a power-sharing plan shortly.

This would keep Mr Buyoya as president for the first 18 months, before he was replaced by a Hutu for the next 18 months.

Opposition

However, there is opposition from two directions:

The two main Hutu armed groups remain outside the peace process despite repeated efforts to bring them on board.

And within the Tutsi community, hardliners bitterly oppose moves towards a power sharing agreement with Hutus. They also distrust President Buyoya, who himself came to power in a coup in 1996.

Both these recent coup attempts are being blamed on groups of young hardline Tutsi soldiers.

In April's attempt a group made their move as President Buyoya was holding peace talks with Hutu rebels in Gabon.

In this attempt, Mr Buyoya was heading to Arusha for peace talks that could inch Hutus a step nearer to power.

Warning

Mr Buyoya is aware that he needs to genuinely involve Hutu groups in the peace process and any final settlement if war is to end.

President Buyoya is talking peace

But these two coup attempts appear to be clear warning messages from Tutsi hardliners.

Burundi has had a long history of coups, all led by soldiers from the Tutsi-dominated army.

And the minority Tutsi population has controlled the government for all but four months of the country's history since independence from Belgium in 1962.

They have traditionally also controlled the economy.

Many hardliners look willing to try almost anything to make sure that this grip does not slip.