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Burundi rebels to lay down arms | Burundi rebels to lay down arms |
(about 19 hours later) | |
A ceasefire in Burundi between the government and the last remaining rebel group has come into effect. | |
The FNL (National Liberation Forces) had been the only one of Burundi's main Hutu groups to remain outside a five-year-old peace process. | The FNL (National Liberation Forces) had been the only one of Burundi's main Hutu groups to remain outside a five-year-old peace process. |
The process culminated last year with the election of a government led by Hutu ex-rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza. | The process culminated last year with the election of a government led by Hutu ex-rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza. |
Under a new ceasefire agreement signed on Thursday, the FNL's estimated 3,000 fighters are due to disarm. | Under a new ceasefire agreement signed on Thursday, the FNL's estimated 3,000 fighters are due to disarm. |
They are expected to start gathering at assembly points, where they must decide whether they want to be integrated into the national army or be demobilised. | |
The African Union and United Nations are due to help monitor the 30-day process. | The African Union and United Nations are due to help monitor the 30-day process. |
No overall deal | No overall deal |
Despite the accord, analysts remain cautious about the prospects for lasting peace after 13 years of civil war in Burundi. | Despite the accord, analysts remain cautious about the prospects for lasting peace after 13 years of civil war in Burundi. |
Hundreds of thousands have fled the Burundi conflict over the yearsThe two sides remain far apart on issues critical to a comprehensive peace agreement and the truce was overshadowed by a government crisis. | Hundreds of thousands have fled the Burundi conflict over the yearsThe two sides remain far apart on issues critical to a comprehensive peace agreement and the truce was overshadowed by a government crisis. |
Earlier this week, Vice-President Alice Nzomukunda resigned, saying corruption and human rights abuses were hampering government business. | Earlier this week, Vice-President Alice Nzomukunda resigned, saying corruption and human rights abuses were hampering government business. |
More than 300,000 people have died in the war sparked in 1993 by the assassination of Burundi's first Hutu head of state. | More than 300,000 people have died in the war sparked in 1993 by the assassination of Burundi's first Hutu head of state. |
Since independence in 1961, the country has been plagued by tension between the dominant Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority. | Since independence in 1961, the country has been plagued by tension between the dominant Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority. |
Posts in the previously Tutsi-dominated army have been split equally between Tutsis and Hutus as part of a peace deal with other Hutu rebel groups. | Posts in the previously Tutsi-dominated army have been split equally between Tutsis and Hutus as part of a peace deal with other Hutu rebel groups. |
Mr Nkurunziza was elected president last year, after a transition period. | Mr Nkurunziza was elected president last year, after a transition period. |
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