Burundi’s former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa has been appointed to head the war-ravaged and impoverished nation’s social welfare agency, the government annnounced on Friday.
In April the National Liberation Forces (FNL), which had been the country’s last rebel movement, announced it was ending its armed struggle and became a political party.
”Agathon Rwasa was appointed to the helm of the INSS [national social security institute] and other FNL members were given diplomatic posts, jobs in the territorial administration and even in the president’s Cabinet,” said government spokesperson Philippe Nzobonariba.
According to an official radio station, FNL executive secretary Jonas Nshimirimana was appointed in the presidential Cabinet as military adviser.
”We can’t say whether or not we are satisfied … We consider these 33 jobs owed to the FNL only as a first step,” said FNL deputy chairperson Alfred Bagaya.
A deal was reached late last year as part of the country’s peace process to give the former rebels 33 government positions.
Rwasa’s movement had initially rejected the offer as not comprising enough senior Cabinet positions but eventually accepted it, under pressure from the international community.
Since 2006 the small central African nation has struggled to emerge from a deadly 13-year civil war. General elections are scheduled to take place in 2010. — AFP
