Burundi women talk peace

Many Burundians have been displaced in the violence

Women from Burundi have begun a three-day meeting in the Tanzanian town of Arusha to see how women's issues can be included in an agreement to end the seven-year civil war.

About 60 women representing a range of Burundian organisations are taking part.

On Wednesday, the first all-party Burundi peace talks open in Arusha, under the chairmanship of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

All the rebel groups have now confirmed they will attend these.

It is hoped delegates will finalise a peace agreement.

Unresolved issues

The accord was due to be signed this week, but Mr Mandela said a number of issues still remained unresolved.

Nelson Mandela: Pushing for the peace deal to be signed

He has set a new date for the end of August.

Almost 20 parties are involved in the peace negotiations, many of them very small.

The peace proposals involve the creation of a transitional government, the integration of Hutu rebels into the Tutsi-led army, and an electoral system that would ensure power-sharing between Hutus and Tutsis.

Up to 200,000 people died in the Burundi conflict which began in 1993 after the murder of the first democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu.