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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

BURUNDI: Time to end 10 years of war, rebel group says

BUJUMBURA, 1 August 2003 (IRIN) - The leader of a six-member delegation of the rebel Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD) said on Friday at the end of a visit to Burundi that it was time to end a decade of war and give peace a chance.

The CNDD-FDD, led by Pierre Nkurunziza, is Burundi's largest rebel faction.

The head of the delegation, Salvator Ntacobamaze, who is also the movement's head of intelligence, told IRIN that his group was committed to the full implementation of a ceasefire agreement it signed with Burundi's government on 2 December 2002.

The delegation arrived in Burundi on Monday from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to assess the security situation and to determine whether the CNDD-FDD would join a Joint Ceasefire Commission formed by the transitional government.

"It is time we conclude our discussions [with the government], implement the ceasefire agreement we signed and then give all Burundians the opportunity to rebuild the nation," Ntacobamaze said.

He announced that the CNDD-FDD would join the ceasefire commission, and that the movement's officials, including Nkurunziza, would arrive in Bujumbura "soon" to participate in it.

"Our discussions with the African Mission [the African Union's peace keeping force] in Burundi and all those who help Burundi were successful, now I will report back to those who sent me here," he said.

However, he said the proliferation of illegal weapons among the population could undermine peace efforts and he urged the African Mission to discuss the issue with the government in order to disarm all militia groups.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Conflict

[ENDS]

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