Untitled 3
Burundi's ex-rebel leader warns of fresh unrest
Thu Oct 29, 2009
BUJUMBURA (AFP) – The leader of Burundi's former rebel
group on Thursday warned of a resumption of violence if the government
recognises a splinter faction that claims to have ousted him.
The National Liberation Forces (FNL) became a political
party and its fighters joined the national army in April after signing a peace
deal. It was Burundi's last active rebel group.
An FNL faction said earlier this month that the group's
leader Agathon Rwasa had been replaced after a party meeting.
"This group that claims to have organised an extraordinary
FNL congress... wants to throw Burundi back to violence and insecurity," Rwasa
told reporters in Bujumbura.
"If the authorities are aware of their role and
responsibility they should not recognise what came out of this pseudo-congress,
otherwise it will turn things for the worse."
The former rebels were given 33 government positions, with
Rwasa now heading the social welfare agency following a deal reached late last
year with Bujumbura.
The FNL splinter group is said to be backed by the
government aiming to weaken the mainstream party, a key rival in next year's
elections which will be the country's second post-war polls.
Rwasa himself has yet to declare interest in running for
presidency.
"But if the FNL party chooses me, why shouldn't I accept?"
he said.
Since 2006, the small central African nation has struggled
to emerge from a deadly 13-year civil war.
