REBELS READY TO CEASE HOSTILITIES.

MISNA
23 May 2008

The FNL rebels have announced their intention to cease hostilities after the talks in Bujumbura to apply a ceasefire (MCVS) first discussed in September 2006. In a communiqué, the FNL places conditions for the ceasefire including the immediate separation of the parties, supplies for the FNL combatants, aid to the population in the areas of the fighting and the deployment of an interposition force”. The FNL and government resumed heavy fighting last April 17, marked by offensives and counteroffensives in the area of Bujumbura and other areas of the country. “The war ended upon the signing of the accords of June 18 and September 19, 2006 and if there is war today it is because of the government’s bad faith, which has not honored its commitments” says the note. The armed group was the only one not to have signed the local peace accords which ended ten years of civil war in 2003. The FNL enjoy considerable popular support and aspire to high level posts in the army and government, something their counterpart has not conceded thus far.