Burundian President Pierre Buyoya began talks on reviving a ceasefire in the war-torn central African country with South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma on Thursday night, Zuma’s representative Lakela Kaunda said.
Buyoya, who arrived in Pretoria from Bujumbura earlier on Thursday, is also scheduled to meet former president Nelson Mandela on Friday, said Burundi’s ambassador, Gabriel Magete.
“The talks with both Zuma and Mandela will be centered on reviving negotiations on a ceasefire,” Magete said.
Mandela has played a peacemaking role in Burundi and was integrally involved in getting South African troops sent to Burundi to support the transitional government installed last November.
Zuma and Gabons president Omar Bongo are designated by the Organisation of African Unity to mediate between the transitional government and the rebels.
The refusal by two main Hutu rebel groups to stop fighting and join the democratic process threatens Buyoyas transitional government and prolongs the nine-year war that has cost more than 250 000 lives.
Before leaving Bujumbura last night, Buyoya accused the rebels of adopting stalling tactics.
South Africa?s leverage in the peace process has been compromised by the rejection of Zuma by the most active wing of the rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD).
FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza charged that Zuma was biased in favour of Buyoyas government.
According to conflict analyst Jan van Eck, who specialises in the Great Lakes region, Nkurunziza had talks with the Tanzanian government last week about becoming more directly involved in the mediation efforts. –AFP