Mandela meets Buyoya

Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Monday met Burundian President Pierre Buyoya in Cape Town, an official of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs told IRIN. Both Mandela and Buyoya, addressing journalists after their meeting, said they had made progress in steps to bring peace to Burundi. "I am very much encouraged," Mandela said. "The Burundians realise that the responsibility for bringing about peace is theirs." Buyoya called the meeting "very positive". "We have made a step in the understanding of the Burundi question and in the search for a solution. These consultations must continue." Mandela also said he hoped to meet rebel leader Colonel Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, the leader of the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), who is also reported to be in South Africa. Mandela, however, could not say when or where the meeting would be, saying only: "This process must be all-inclusive. It must not just be the 18 political parties but the armed groups on the ground as well. Otherwise there is no guarantee the armed groups will abide by anything we agree at Arusha." Jan Van Eck, a consultant with the Cape Town-based Centre for Conflict Resolution told IRIN: "For the first time the issue of a ceasefire should be gently discussed... However, the introduction of the fighting groups into the peace process, will require a change of the rules after consultations with other parties." Mandela's meeting with Buyoya is a precursor to the next round of peace talks to be held in Arusha, Tanzania on 21 February.