BURUNDI: Museveni concerned over likelihood of polls delay

NAIROBI, 13 Apr 2005 (IRIN) - The chairman of the Great Lakes regional initiative on Burundi, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has expressed concern over a possible delay in the holding of general elections in Burundi, an official told IRIN on Wednesday.

"We are monitoring the situation as we await a detailed explanation from Burundi's electoral commission," Adonia Ayebale, Uganda's envoy to Burundi and Rwanda, said from the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.

In his capacity as the representative of the chairman of the regional initiative on Burundi, Ayebale was in Bujumbura for talks with President Domitien Ndayizeye over completion of the electoral process.

He said the two problems that had held up the elections - the lack of funds and the enactment of electoral laws - had been resolved as donors had released money and Burundi's parliament had approved the electoral code.

"We are waiting for an explanation from the electoral commission as to why is has not issued an electoral calendar," Ayebale said. "Until we get the explanation, the region's position that elections should not be postponed stands."

He added that during his meeting with Ndayizeye, the position of Burundi's remaining rebel group, the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) of Agathon Rwasa, was discussed. Ayebale said the region would soon determine the group's seriousness in wanting to enter ceasefire negotiations with the transitional government of Burundi.

An FNL delegation held talks with Tanzanian government officials in Dar es Salaam from 4-12 April, at the end of which the rebel group announced that it was ready to stop fighting government troops and to begin peace talks.

Ayebale said the regional initiative had not been officially informed about the outcome of the FNL talks in Dar es Salaam.

He said only a regional summit could extend Burundi's transitional period beyond April. He declined to state when such a summit would be held. However, diplomats in Bujumbura said it would be held soon.

The transitional government in Burundi was set up following the signing of the Peace and Reconciliation Accord by Burundian parties in Arusha, Tanzania, in August 2000. The transitional period was initially set at three years but was extended in October 2004 for a further six months to allow for the holding of a constitutional referendum as well as general elections.

The referendum was held on 28 February and general elections are due before the end of April.

[ENDS]