GREAT LAKES: Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Africa to send 3,500 peacekeeping troops

NAIROBI, 2 Apr 2003 (IRIN) - Defence ministers of Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa announced on Tuesday that their countries would send 3,500 peacekeeping troops to Burundi, under the aegis of the African Union (AU), Ethiopian Television reported.

The ministers announced their commitment at a news conference in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, following a joint meeting to discuss recommendations on the force's level and mandate.

During the meeting, the ministers approved a report presented to them by a technical committee and finalised preparations for sending the troops. However, the date for the deployment of the troops is yet to be fixed.

Ethiopian Defence Minister Abadula Gemeda was quoted as saying that his country had completed preparations to send between 950 and 1,000 peacekeepers to Burundi.

He also said that Ethiopia, drawing from experience "would do everything possible to bring about lasting peace in Burundi".

The ministers said they would send the report they had approved to the AU on Wednesday "to define and decide the mission of the peacekeeping force".

Ethiopian Television reported that as soon as the AU had adopted the document, the three countries would send their forces to Burundi to monitor the peace process.

South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota was quoted saying that the AU force would be expected to stay in Burundi for between six and 12 months after which it is to be replaced by a UN force.

Burundi has experienced civil war since 1993 pitting the government against several rebel groups, resulting in the death of more than 200,000 people.

[ENDS]