SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG DECLARATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 001339 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG DECLARATION ON THE BURUNDI PEACE PROCESS REF: A. PRETORIA 428 ¶B. PRETORIA 775 ¶C. PRETORIA 779 This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. The SAG hosted a meeting of special envoys and diplomatic representatives in South Africa from June 9-10, 2008 (SEPTEL). After this session, the SAG distributed the Magaliesburg Declaration on the Burundi Peace Process. Text follows: ¶2. Begin text: Magaliesburg Declaration on the Burundi Peace Process 10 June 2008 At the invitation of H.E. Minister Charles Nqakula, South African Facilitator of the Burundi Peace process, the second meeting of the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi (GSEB) was convened in Magaliesburg, South Africa from 9 to 10 June ¶2008. Delegations of the Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL participated in the meeting. Chairman Agathon Rwasa headed the PALIPEHUTU-FNL delegation. The delegation of the Government of Burundi was headed by Major-General Evariste Ndayishimiye. The GSEB: Congratulated the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the major steps forward in the peace process in the past month and welcomed the political will shown by both sides to achieve this progress; Strongly commended both parties on the return to Burundi of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL leadership and Chairman Agathon Rwasa on 16 and 30 May respectively; the resumption of the work of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) on 19 May; the conclusion of the joint declaration on the cessation of hostilities on 26 May; and the adoption on 2 June of the Joint Operational Plan on the disarmament, demobilization, and the reintegration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants; Welcomed the commitment of both parties to build confidence and move the peace process forward. Noted with satisfaction the common messages delivered by the Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the root causes and consequences of the conflict as well as the key socio-economic challenges facing Burundi; Expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the recent achievements and ongoing efforts of the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi; the South African Facilitation; and the Political Directorate in support of the peace process; Particularly acknowledged the financial and military support provided by the Government of South Africa as well as the financial support by the Government of Switzerland, the European Commission and the International Committee of the Red Cross to PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants at pre-assembly process; Expressed concern at the fragility of the overall situation in Burundi and appealed to all political actors in Burundi to refrain from any action that could jeopardize the progress achieved in the peace process. Underscored that the primary responsibility for the successful and earliest conclusion of the peace process in Burundi lie with the Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL; ¶I. Mutual commitments of the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL: The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL have mutually PRETORIA 00001339 002 OF 003 undertaken to: Renounce violence and to resolve all their differences by dialogue; Fully respect the timeliness outlined in the Revised Programme of Action to Take Further the Burundi Peace Process, thus concluding all aspects of the peace process. This includes the implementation of the 2006 Agreement of Principles; the 2--6 Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement; and the integration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL in the national institutions. In this regard, they shall: -- Spare no efforts to complete all the steps outlined in the JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan, including the demarcation and establishment of Assembly Areas -- Address simultaneously all the outstanding political issues, including the political accommodation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL in national institutions as well as their integration in the defence and security forces -- Ensure that the resolution of these issues would not be used in any way as a precondition for implementing the JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan -- Take specific initiatives in order to sensitize the national institutions, Palipehutu-FNL members, and the population on the ongoing peace process -- Refrain from any inflammatory action or declaration -- Endeavour to find as soon as possible a mutually acceptable solution to the question of the registration and the name of the Palipehutu-FNL as a political party -- Abstain from all actions that might be perceived as fresh recruitment drives, particularly among children. II. Commitments of the Government of Burundi: The Government of Burundi undertakes within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi to demonstrate the necessary flexibility to address all issues that could hamper the full implementation of agreements reached. Once the combatants are assembled, the Government commits to accommodate and integrate Palipehutu-FNL members in the national institutions in accordance with agreements reached between the parties. III. Commitments of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL: Engage in good faith in the immediate implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement. IV. Commitments of members of the GSEB: The GSEB undertakes to continue to accompany the efforts of the Facilitation and to the Political Directorate in support of the peace process. In this context, the GSEB will continue to mobilise the international community to provide financial support to the Facilitation and the peace process. As the PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants proceed to the assembly areas, the GSEB will intercede with the potential donors to continue to provide humanitarian assistance until the start of the DDR process. The GSEB will pay special attention to the DDR process, in particular regarding its reintegration aspects. The GSEB will continue to promote efforts in the field of security sector reform, including efforts to integrate the Palipehutu-FNL in the National Defence and Security Forces. The GSEB will support the transformation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL into a political party, including the provision of training its cadres. The GSEB will consider ways of providing financial support to QThe GSEB will consider ways of providing financial support to the Government of Burundi to assist it in addressing the pressures caused by price increase in food commodities and fuel and thus helping it create a more conducive environment PRETORIA 00001339 003 OF 003 for the peace process. End text. TEITELBAUM