Annan welcomes ceasefire pact between Burundi government and rebels

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today welcomed a ceasefire agreement reached by the Transitional Government of Burundi and a rebel faction, known as the CNDD-FDD, calling the pact a positive development in the country's search for peace.

The accord was reached at the 19th Summit of the Regional Initiative, held from 1 to 2 December in Arusha, Tanzania. The talks, chaired by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, aimed to end Burundi's nine-year long civil war.

"The agreement constitutes an important and positive development in the search for a comprehensive peace in Burundi," said a statement issued by a spokesman for the Secretary-General, who commended the efforts of both the Regional Initiative and Deputy President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in helping the parties conclude the accord.

The United Nations will continue to support the Burundi peace process through its office in Burundi and through the chairmanship of the Implementation Monitoring Committee, the statement added.