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Secretary-General welcomes Burundi protocol as move towards peace

Secretary-General welcomes Burundi protocol as move towards peace

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the signing of a protocol between Burundi's transitional government and the country's largest rebel group, the CNDD/FDD (le Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie/Force pour la Défense de la Démocratie).

A statement issued by a spokesman for Mr. Annan said, "He commends President Domitien Ndayizeye and Mr. (Pierre) Nkurunziza (of the CNDD/FDD) for their commitment to peace and reconciliation in Burundi and calls on them to ensure full implementation of the Protocol in accordance with the agreed timetable."

According to the protocol, signed yesterday after being mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki and other regional officials, representatives of Mr. Nkurunziza's group would enter the government in three weeks and start integrating the two armies, as the CNDD/FDD turns itself into a political party.

The rebel group PALIPEHUTU-FNL-Agathon Rwasa (Parti pour la libération du peuple hutu-Forces nationales de liberation), has not joined in the accord, however, and Mr. Annan urged the PALIPEHUTU-FNL to "join the peace process without delay."

Factional strife in Burundi has lasted 10 years.