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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

BURUNDI: Bah appointed head of African mission

BUJUMBURA, 1 May 2003 (IRIN) - The African Union's (AU) ambassador to Burundi, Mamadou Bah, had been appointed head of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma announced on Wednesday.

Bah will be the overall head of the mission that will try to bring peace to Burundi by supporting the implementation of the ceasefire through its observers and peacekeeping troops. South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, which are heavily engaged in the Burundi peace process, would be providing deputies, Zuma said in the Burundi capital, Bujumbura.

Through its 701 troops stationed in the city, South Africa alone has been providing protection for politicians returning from abroad to take part in the transitional government. However, Zuma said these troops would be integrated with the AU peacekeeping force to be deployed in the country.

In a statement, the South African presidency announced that 932 South African troops were in Burundi by 29 April. A further 668 South African troops were due to arrive by 5 August, 290 Mozambican troops were due to arrive on 22 May, and at least 980 Ethiopian troops would be in Burundi by 2 June.

Cantonment areas for assembling combatants of the Burundian armed groups had been identified at Myange, Buhinga and Bugarama, with the first cantonment zone due to become operational on 6 June, the South African presidency announced.

Zuma also said that following pledges from Belgium, the UN and AU, there was sufficient funding for the African mission, which, he said, would cost about US $121 million a year to maintain.

"Yes, there will be the money to do it," he said.

Themes: (IRIN) Conflict

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