SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001392 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI REF: A. PRETORIA 428 ¶B. PRETORIA 775 ¶C. PRETORIA 799 ¶D. EMAIL: MOLLER/SWAN ¶1. (SBU) This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution. ¶2. (SBU) The second meeting of Special Envoys on Burundi was held in Magaliesberg, South Africa June 9-10, 2008. The SAG Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, hosted this meeting along with the SAG Special Envoy Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo. Agathon Rwasa led the PALIPEHUTU-FNL delegation, and Major-General Evariste Ndayishimiye headed the Government of Burundi delegation. ¶3. (SBU) The first Special Envoys meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa in February 2008. Unlike the Cape Town meeting, called in an atmosphere of hopelessness as Burundi again was plunged into crisis, the Magaliesberg meeting represented a "good story" with "a good ending," according to Mamabolo. ¶4. (SBU) In the month preceding the Magaliesberg meeting, significant developments occurred in the Burundi peace process. Chairman Agathon Rwasa and elements of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL leadership returned to Burundi. The work of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JMVV) resumed. A new cessation of hostilities agreements between the parties was signed and the Joint Operational Plan on the disarmament, demobilization, and the reintegration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants was adopted (reftels). These agreements laid out the framework of mutual commitments for both parties "to build confidence and move the peace process forward." ¶5. (SBU) Following the second Special Envoys meeting, the Magaliesberg Communique and Declaration on the Burundi Peace Process (septel) were announced which set forth the areas of agreement between the parties and the pledges of support from the Envoys. ¶6. (SBU) The Special Envoys noted that the two parties now hold common views on the causes and consequences of the conflict as well as key socio-economic challenges facing Burundi. They applauded recent achievements of the South African facilitation as well as the SAG's financial and military assistance. The contributions of international partners in support of the Burundi peace process were also acknowledged. They pledged to continue leveraging international resources to financially support the SAG Facilitation and the Burundi peace process, including "...interceding with donors on the provision of humanitarian assistance until the conclusion of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process. The Special Envoys will also continue to support the PALIPEHUTU-FNL transformation into a political party, including the training of its members. They will "pay special attention to the reintegration aspects of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration" of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL; and agreed to consider ways of providing additional support to the Government of Burundi "to address the pressures caused by rising prices of food and fuel." ¶7. (SBU) Mamabolo also noted with the PALIPEHUTU-FNL's return and the peace process itself had implications for funding support. He noted, "Just to monitor it you have to create the Joint Liaison Team (JLT) to monitor the violation of the ceasefire." He also mentioned long term structural Qceasefire." He also mentioned long term structural challenges that will require international support, including humanitarian and many other needs, the return of refugees, settling displaced persons, and the critical demobilization and disarmament of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants, and post conflict reconstruction. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: The tone of the meeting was decidedly upbeat. Although Rwasa reiterated many of his side's familiar doctrinaire demands like retaining the constitutionally prohibited PALIPEHUTU-FNL as the name for PRETORIA 00001392 002 OF 002 his political party, most of the participants agreed that it seemed as if everything could be open for discussion. The South African facilitators said they were pleased with the progress made at the meeting, but were quick to note that the price of peace was high and they were the ones picking up much of the tab. They appealed for help from the international community to defray some of their expenses, transmitting to participants by e-mail on June 19 an operating budget listing expediters and requirements for additional resources (reftel). The meeting closed, to the surprise of most, with a Rwasa-initiated prayer circle - all at the conference joining hands to hear Rwasa's 20-minute appeal for peace and understanding. The press was admitted to listen and to tape the closing event. TEITELBAUM