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DE RUEHSA #1339/01 1711443
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R 191443Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4823
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1307
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1532
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0207
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0644
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1374
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0270
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0512
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5702
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0541

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 001339 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG DECLARATION 
ON THE BURUNDI PEACE PROCESS 
 
REF: A. PRETORIA 428 
     ¶B. PRETORIA 775 
     ¶C. PRETORIA 779 
 
 This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified.  Not for Internet 
distribution. 
 
¶1.  The SAG hosted a meeting of special envoys and diplomatic 
representatives in South Africa from June 9-10, 2008 
(SEPTEL).  After this session, the SAG distributed the 
Magaliesburg Declaration on the Burundi Peace Process.  Text 
follows: 
 
¶2.  Begin text: 
 
Magaliesburg Declaration on the Burundi Peace Process 
 
10 June 2008 
 
At the invitation of H.E. Minister Charles Nqakula, South 
African Facilitator of the Burundi Peace process, the second 
meeting of the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi (GSEB) was 
convened in Magaliesburg, South Africa from 9 to 10 June 
¶2008.  Delegations of the Government of Burundi and the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL participated in the meeting.  Chairman Agathon 
Rwasa headed the PALIPEHUTU-FNL delegation.  The delegation 
of the Government of Burundi was headed by Major-General 
Evariste Ndayishimiye. 
 
The GSEB: 
 
Congratulated the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL on 
the major steps forward in the peace process in the past 
month and welcomed the political will shown by both sides to 
achieve this progress; 
 
Strongly commended both parties on the return to Burundi of 
the PALIPEHUTU-FNL leadership and Chairman Agathon Rwasa on 
16 and 30 May respectively; the resumption of the work of the 
Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) on 19 May; 
the conclusion of the joint declaration on the cessation of 
hostilities on 26 May; and the adoption on 2 June of the 
Joint Operational Plan on the disarmament, demobilization, 
and the reintegration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants; 
 
Welcomed the commitment of both parties to build confidence 
and move the peace process forward. 
 
Noted with satisfaction the common messages delivered by the 
Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the root 
causes and consequences of the conflict as well as the key 
socio-economic challenges facing Burundi; 
 
Expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the recent 
achievements and ongoing efforts of the Regional Initiative 
for Peace in Burundi; the South African Facilitation; and the 
Political Directorate in support of the peace process; 
 
Particularly acknowledged the financial and military support 
provided by the Government of South Africa as well as the 
financial support by the Government of Switzerland, the 
European Commission and the International Committee of the 
Red Cross to PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants at pre-assembly 
process; 
 
Expressed concern at the fragility of the overall situation 
in Burundi and appealed to all political actors in Burundi to 
refrain from any action that could jeopardize the progress 
achieved in the peace process. 
 
Underscored that the primary responsibility for the 
successful and earliest conclusion of the peace process in 
Burundi lie with the Government of Burundi and the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL; 
 
¶I.  Mutual commitments of the Government of Burundi and 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL: 
The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL have mutually 
 
PRETORIA 00001339  002 OF 003 
 
 
undertaken to: 
 
Renounce violence and to resolve all their differences by 
dialogue; 
 
Fully respect the timeliness outlined in the Revised 
Programme of Action to Take Further the Burundi Peace 
Process, thus concluding all aspects of the peace process. 
This includes the implementation of the 2006 Agreement of 
Principles; the 2--6 Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement; and 
the integration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL in the national 
institutions.  In this regard, they shall: 
 
-- Spare no efforts to complete all the steps outlined in the 
   JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan, 
   including the demarcation and establishment of Assembly 
   Areas 
-- Address simultaneously all the outstanding political 
   issues, including the political accommodation of the 
   PALIPEHUTU-FNL in national institutions as well as their 
   integration in the defence and security forces 
-- Ensure that the resolution of these issues would not be 
   used in any way as a precondition for implementing the 
   JVMM Programme of Action and the Joint Operational Plan 
-- Take specific initiatives in order to sensitize the 
   national institutions, Palipehutu-FNL members, and the 
   population on the ongoing peace process 
-- Refrain from any inflammatory action or declaration 
-- Endeavour to find as soon as possible a mutually 
   acceptable solution to the question of the registration 
   and the name of the Palipehutu-FNL as a political party 
-- Abstain from all actions that might be perceived as 
   fresh recruitment drives, particularly among children. 
 
II.  Commitments of the Government of Burundi: 
The Government of Burundi undertakes within the framework of 
the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi to demonstrate 
the necessary flexibility to address all issues that could 
hamper the full implementation of agreements reached. 
 
Once the combatants are assembled, the Government commits to 
accommodate and integrate Palipehutu-FNL members in the 
national institutions in accordance with agreements reached 
between the parties. 
 
III.  Commitments of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL: 
Engage in good faith in the immediate implementation of the 
Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement. 
 
IV.  Commitments of members of the GSEB: 
The GSEB undertakes to continue to accompany the efforts of 
the Facilitation and to the Political Directorate in support 
of the peace process. 
 
In this context, the GSEB will continue to mobilise the 
international community to provide financial support to the 
Facilitation and the peace process. 
 
As the PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants proceed to the assembly 
areas, the GSEB will intercede with the potential donors to 
continue to provide humanitarian assistance until the start 
of the DDR process. 
 
The GSEB will pay special attention to the DDR process, in 
particular regarding its reintegration aspects. 
 
The GSEB will continue to promote efforts in the field of 
security  sector reform, including efforts to integrate the 
Palipehutu-FNL in the National Defence and Security Forces. 
 
The GSEB will support the transformation of the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL into a political party, including the 
provision of training its cadres. 
 
The GSEB will consider ways of providing financial support to 
QThe GSEB will consider ways of providing financial support to 
the Government of Burundi to assist it in addressing the 
pressures caused by price increase in food commodities and 
fuel and thus helping it create a more conducive environment 
 
PRETORIA 00001339  003 OF 003 
 
 
for the peace process. 
 
End text. 
TEITELBAUM