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The Facilitator in the Burundi cease-fire process, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, has expressed concern at the fighting that is reported to have erupted in Burundi this week.

Initial reports indicated that government troops had shelled positions of the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), northwest of the capital Bujumbura on Monday, 9 December.

The Transitional Government and the CNDD-FDD signed a cease-fire agreement on 3 December 2002 in Arusha, Tanzania. In terms of the agreement, a suspension of hostilities was to occur 72 hours after the signing of the accord, and the agreement is to come into force on 30 December 2002. The two parties were given 14 days in terms of the agreement, to communicate the contents of the ceasefire accord to the respective commanders.

"The reported fighting is cause for concern, especially as it happens during a period when information is supposed to be filtering down to all commanders to stop fire from all sides. It is unacceptable as it flies in the face of the ceasefire accord," Deputy President Zuma said.

The Deputy President will discuss the matter with both President Pierre Buyoya and leader of the CNDD-FDD, Pierre Nkurunziza.

A meeting is pending between the two leaders to discuss the implementation of the agreement.

For more information please contact Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575.

Issued by The Presidency

11 December 2002