AFRICA/BURUNDI - INFO: 10 YEARS OF WAR

Bujumbura (Fides Service) – More than 300,000 civilians killed in ten years of war in Burundi, which broke out on 21 October 1993, when a group of rebel militia assassinated Melchior Ndadaye, first president of Burundi elected democratically and then 150,000 people mostly innocent civilians were massacred.
Ndadaye, a Hutu, met with opposition in the army, mostly Tutsi. The Hutu, 85%, are the majority but since independence the Tutsi a minority of 14% has always held political power thanks to control of the army.
After the massacre in 1993, the Hutu formed Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), which obtained financial backing from the FRODEBU, Hutu political party formed in 1986, whose programme is to oppose with force to what it calls Tutsi exploitation of the Hutu.
Later the FDD split in two parts and another Hutu group led by Cossan Kabura formed and armed wing Force for National Liberation (FLN). Faced with the guerrilla offensive, the Burundian army launched a series of military campaigns and organised camps for displaced persons in order to sever ties between FDD and FNL and the civilian population. It is estimated that about 260,000 displaced persons took refuge in camps where they depend on international aid.
The international community took steps to stop the conflict. A first important result was obtained with agreement signed in Arusha (Tanzania) in August 2000, after talks sponsored by the international community and with the mediation of former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. The talks were attended by 10 Tutsi, parties G10, and 7 Hutu parties (G7). But the main rebel groups (FDD) e (FNL) did not take part. The Arusha agreement included the a national unity government with a Tutsi president and Hut vice president for eighteen months and then vice versa for the next 18 months. On May 1 this year Tutsi President Pierre Buyoya handed over to Hutu president Domitien Ndayizeye. Elections are scheduled for 2004.
At last on October 8, 2003 in Pretoria president Domitien Ndayizeye met FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza, signed an agreement for an immediate cease fire. The rebels obtain the vice presidency four ministries, 40% of army officer posts and 35% police officer posts. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2003, lines 37 words 455)