SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG COMMUNIQUE -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001340

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG COMMUNIQUE -
10 JUNE 2008

REF: A. PRETORIA 428


B. PRETORIA 775

C. PRETORIA 799

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 Communique on the Burundi Peace Process. Text
follows:


2. Begin text:

Magaliesburg Communique 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 Group
of Special Envoys on Burundi met in Magaliesburg, South
Africa from 9 to 10 June 2008 with delegations of the
PALIPEHUTU-FNL and the Government of Burundi. Mr. Agathon
Rwasa headed the PALIPEHUTU-FNL delegation of the Government
of Burundi was headed by Major-General Evariste Ndayishimiye.

The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi congratulated the
Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the major steps
taken in the peace process in the past month, including the
return to Burundi of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL leadership and
Chairman Agathon Rwasa; the resumption of the work of the
Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM); the
cessation of hostilities between the parties and the adoption
of a Joint Operational Plan on the disarmament,
demobilization, and the reintegration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL
combatants.

The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi welcomed the
commitment of both parties to build confidence and move the
peace process forward. It 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.

The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi expressed sincere
gratitude and appreciation for the recent achievements and
ongoing efforts of the Regional Peace Initiative for Peace in
Burundi; the South African Facilitation; and the Political
Directorate. It acknowledged the financial and military
assistance provided by the Government of South Africa as well
as that of Burundi's international partners in support of the
Burundi peace process.

The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi appealed to all
political actors in Burundi to refrain from any action that
could jeopardize the progress achieved and underscored that
the primary responsibility for the successful and earliest
conclusion of the peace process lie with the Government of
Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL.

The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL renounced
violence and undertook to resolve all their differences by
dialogue. They agreed to fully respect the timelines
outlined in the Revised Programme of Action to Take Further
the Burundi Peace Process, including the implementation of
the agreements signed in 2006. Both parties will endevour to
address simultaneously all the outstanding political issues,
including the political accommodation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL
in national institutions as well as the integration of its
combatants in the security and defence forces.

The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL undertook to
QThe Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL undertook to
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; and find as soon as possible a

PRETORIA 00001340 002 OF 002


mutually acceptable solution to the question of the
registration and the name of the Palipehutu-FNL as a
political party.

The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi undertook to continue
to accompany the efforts of the Facilitation and to the
Political Directorate. In this context, the Group of Special
Envoys on Burundi will continue mobilising the international
community to provide financial support to the Facilitation
and the peace process, including interceding with donors on
the provision of humanitarian assistance until the confusion
of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration
process. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi expressed
its intention to support the transformation of the
PALIPEHUTU-FNL into a political party, including the
provision of training its cadres. The Group of Special
Envoys on Burundi will also pay special attention to the
reintegration aspects of the disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration process of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants. It will
promote security sector reform efforts for the integration of
PALIPEHUTU-FNL members in the national security forces.

In order to help create an environment conducive to the peace
process, the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi agreed to
consider ways of providing financial support to the
Government of Burundi to address the pressures caused by
rising prices of food and fuel.

All participants thanked the Government and people of South
Africa for their gracious hospitality in hosting this
important meeting.

End text.
TEITELBAUM