Burundi Government and Rebels Complete Political Military Integration Agreement

The United States welcomes the signing in Pretoria, on October 8 and November 2, of Protocols on Power Sharing between the Government of Burundi and the National Council for the Defense of Democracy/Front for the Defense of Democracy. We take this opportunity to commend the Government of Burundi and the leadership of the Front for Defense of Democracy for their courage and their sense of responsibility in completing these agreements.

We are grateful to South African President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Jacob Nzuma for all their efforts in facilitating the conclusion of the Protocols on Power Sharing. We also thank Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa for their untiring efforts on behalf of the Burundi peace process.

We reiterate our call for the National Liberation Front to join in the peace process.