Mandela visits Burundi prisoners

Mandela and Buyoya met in Johannesburg last week

Nelson Mandela has visited political prisoners in Burundi, on the first day of a visit to the country in his capacity as chief negotiator in the peace process.

Later in his three-day visit, the former South African leader is scheduled to see President Pierre Buyoya, and visit a regroupment camp near the capital, Bujumbura.

If we are looking for peace here in Burundi, all the political prisoners have to be released

Nelson Mandela

He is also due to meet representatives of rebel groups, and see the Burundi army command.

Mr Mandela - himself a former political prisoner - spoke to about 60 inmates in the main prison of the capital, Bujumbura.

He told them that he had discussed the release of political prisoners with Mr Buyoya, who was in Johannesburg last week.

"If we are looking for peace here in Burundi, all the political prisoners have to be released," he said.

Detentions

Mr Mandela promised said last week that he would meet political prisoners in Burundi, some of whom have been detained for seven years.

Civil war erupted in Burundi in 1993, with rebels from the majority Hutu group campaigning against the Tutsi-dominated government and army.

Several attempts to end the conflict since then have failed.

Since accepting the role of meditator, Mr Mandela has urged Burundi to close the regroupment camps, in which it has interned thousands of Hutus.

The Burundi Government has begun shutting down the camps, and Mr Buyoya has said the camps will close by the end of July.

During an earlier round of talks Mr Mandela angered the Tutsi political establishment in Burundi by comparing Tutsi domination to South African apartheid.

Breakthrough

But in a recent breakthrough in the peace process, Burundi agreed to equal representation for Hutus and Tutsis in the armed forces, which are at present overwhelmingly Tutsi-dominated.

This opened the way to the first face-to-face talks between the government and the main Hutu rebel group, which are due to take place next month.

Ugandan Prime Minister Apolo Nsimbambi will also take part in the current discussions between Mr Mandela and Mr Buyoya.

President Yoweri Museveni had originally been invited, but was unable to attend.