ugnet_: Presidents of Uganda and Burundi discuss Burundi peace process

[Matekopoko]

Presidents of Uganda and Burundi discuss Burundi peace process www.chinaview.cn 2003-09-09 23:24



  KAMPALA, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting President of Burundi Domitien Ndayizeye held talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at State House here on Tuesday.

  The Burundi president arrived in Uganda on Tuesday morning on atwo-day working visit for consultations with President Museveni onthe progress of the Burundi peace process, according to a press release issued by the Ugandan State House here.

  President Museveni is the chairman of the regional peace initiative on Burundi.

  The talks between the two presidents mainly centered on the restoration of total peace in Burundi as well as the building of apost transitional government in that central African country, the press release said.

  Ugandan Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs James Wapakhabulo, Minister in charge of the Presidency Ali Kivejinja Kirunda, Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Nshimye Sebutulo attended the talks.

  The Burundi leader is accompanied by Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Therence Sinunguruza, Minister of Defense Major General Vincent Niyungeko and Minister of Education Prosper Mpawenayo.

  The Burundi president will meet rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza during his two-day visit in Uganda, according to local media report on Tuesday.

  The meeting between the Burundi president and Secretary Generalof the rebel Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD) Hussein Radjabue is ahead of a regional summit on Burundi peace process which is expected to hold in Dar es Salaam next Monday.

  The forthcoming regional summit will discuss how the governmentand the rebels can share power in the central African country. Enditem


meanwhile, in Burundi
  

Armed gangs in Burundi kill 17 civilians in ambush


NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) - Armed gangsters killed 17 civilians after ambushing a bus in northwest Burundi on Wednesday, highlighting insecurity in the country despite efforts to end a decade of civil war, witnesses said.

The ambush happened in Mabayi commune in the province of Cibitoke.

"A van carrying 17 passengers and full of goods was ambushed by gunmen who killed the passengers one by one and stole their goods and burned the vehicle," said one witness.

An army spokesman put the death toll at 14.

Civilians have suffered the most in the war that has killed some 300,000 people.

The conflict pits various rebel groups from the Hutu majority against a politically dominant Tutsi minority.

Both the main rebel groups, the Forces for the Defense of Democracy and the Forces for National Liberation, have been blamed for ambushes, cattle raids and armed robberies. But attacks have also been perpetrated by armed gangsters.
  
09/10/03 16:04 ET