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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

BURUNDI: Rebels assemble ahead of cantonment

NAIROBI, 24 October 2003 (IRIN) - Burundi's main rebel faction has assembled at least 1,000 of its fighters on a hill near the southern border with Tanzania, ahead of their cantonment in line with a ceasefire agreement signed with the government, a local human rights body, Iteka, reported on Thursday.

In a broadcast on Monday on Radio Publique Africaine, a rebel commander, Dominique Nyamugaruka, said that the fighters were assembled on Murambi Hill, in Makamba Province.

They are to be informed of the details of the ceasefire accord signed on 8 October, in South Africa, by the leader of the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratic-Forces pour la defense de la democratie faction, Pierre Nkurunziza, and Burundi's transitional government.

Nyamugaruka said that the fighters would remain on the hill until their cantonment sites were known. These sites are to be guarded by peacekeeping troops of the African Mission in Burundi.

Iteka said that on Monday the fighters received a week's supply of beans, cassava flour, palm oil, corn beef, sugar, salt, rice and tea from the German aid body, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische. The supplies were bought with EU money, Iteka said. However, in addition, the rebels are asking for medicines and tents, especially now that the rainy season has started. They have also called on the law enforcement agencies and the local administration to ensure their security.

Iteka said local residents had not complained about the rebel presence.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Conflict

[ENDS]

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