- The gathering of some 3,000 combatants of the National Liberation Front (FNL) in the Rugazi commune, 35 kilometres North of the capital Bujumbura, to take part in the agreed dismantling and disarming programme clearly signals hope for lasting peace in Burundi.
Until recently, the FNL was able to assemble a little over 150 fighters.
In an effort to honour their group's agreement with Bujumbura, FNL leaders decided to assemble the combatants. The recently signed deal assured the integration of FNL rebels into the East African nation's security and defence forces.
According to the rebel movement's spokesman, Pasteur Habimana, the onus now lies on the government to take the next step which includes "specifying the posts reserved to our movement in the institutions, armed forces and elsewhere." Mr. Habimana declared that from now on "the war is over."
The movement headed Agahon Rwasa has been engulfed in sharp division, with its main rebel group and political wing, the Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People (Paliphetu) accusing each other of " bad faith." The political wing had become the only active movement since the signing of the 2003 peace accord that nailed Burundi's decade-long civil war.
Army spokesman Lt. Colonel Adolphe Manirakiza was delighted with the massive turn-out, and described it as a positive development to the peace process. He said the government would honour its promise provided the healthy process is not altered.
In early July, the rebel movement suspended assembling of fighters, insisting that the government should recognise Paliphetu as a political party.
In 1993, Burundi slided into a civil war, which was sparked by the rebels from the majority Hutu population who were angered by the dominance of the minority Tutsi tribe, especially in the army. At least 300,000 people were reportedly killed in the war.
The establishment of a power-sharing government in 2001 could not guarantee peace as clashes continued between the government and some rebel groups. A mediation by South Africa allowed Burundian to breathe an air of peace.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español