Burundi rebels end peace talks

Burundi rebels end peace talks

By Premy Kibanga
BBC, Dar es Salaam

Burundi's main rebel group has suspended direct talks with President Pierre Buyoya.

The Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) accuse Mr Buyoya of not being serious in implementing two recent ceasefire agreements.

Nkurunziza signed a ceasefire agreement last December

FDD secretary general Rajab Hussein told the BBC that his party sees no reason to keep on signing so many agreements, which fail to bring peace to Burundi.

The FDD faction led by Pierre Nkurunziza, also complains about the absence of a mechanism put together to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreements.

"We call on the leaders of the Great Lakes region to choose a country which will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreement because if this situation continues as it is now, this agreement will just end up on paper, while Burundians and the international community have high hopes on it," he said.

The FDD wants to be included and consulted in all the major decisions that are taken or will be taken in Burundi.

Mr Hussein cited an example of the troops from Mozambique and Ethiopia who will be sent to Burundi, saying his party was not consulted.

He said these troops would be seen as elements who are coming to disturb the peace in Burundi.