Burundi market attack

Seven years of misery for Burundians

A grenade explosion in a crowded market in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, has killed at least three people and seriously wounded eight others.

An unidentified attacker flung the grenade at a group of traders who were busy organising their goods for sale.

Violence around Bujumbura has escalated recently in the seven-year civil war in which an estimated 200,000 people have died.

This is despite vigorous efforts by former South African president Nelson Mandela to negotiate an end to the conflict between ethnic-Hutu rebels and the country's Tutsi-led army.

Peace deal

President Buyoya: Under pressure from hardliners opposed to the deal

Mr Mandela has invited President Clinton and other world leaders to the planned signing of a peace accord in Tanzania on 28 August.

But the government and rebel parties are continuing to voice serious rebel objections to the draft accord which has been drawn up by mediators.

The draft proposal calls for:

• power-sharing in the army, government and parliament
  
• free elections after three years of transition
  
• an amnesty for killers

The Tutsis have traditionally dominated Burundi's political and civil institutions, although making up only about 14% of the population.

Nelson Mandela: Wont't budge on the 28 August deadline

The draft peace accord aims to address the imbalance.

Hutu rebels and the Tutsi-dominated army have been unable to agree on a cease-fire or the future of the army.

And President Buyoya, Hutu politicians and Tutsi opposition leaders cannot agree on a transitional president.

Mr Mandela has told all sides that international patience and money are running out and the killings must stop.

Burundi's President Pierre Buyoya is under pressure from Tutsi hardliners opposed to the deal, and says he only intends to intitial points he is in agreement with.

He is reported to have hinted to Mr Mandela that the signing itself should be postponed.