/ 26 May 2000

Mandela says Burundi peace in sight

Former President Nelson Mandela says a landmark draft agreement has been worked out between rebels and the government that could finally end the long-running Burundi civil war. Mandela, the peace negotiator in the Burundi conflict, said progress has been made in resolving the conflict. However, he said it was too early to give final details. Mandela took over as chief negotiator after the death of former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere. The seven-year old war in the small coffee and tea growing central African country has killed more than 200000 people and displaced over a million. Mandela said in Johannesburg after hosting two days of peace talks between rebels and the Burundi government and the military that a draft agreement has at last been reached. Mandela said the rebel groups have agreed to the broad outline of the draft peace agreement, but wanted time to study the details and consult their field commanders.