Govt and PALIPEHUTU-FNL 10 June signed Magaliesberg Communiqué in South Africa, committing to peace and agreeing state institutions, army to integrate rebels. FNL leader Agathon Rwasa 16 June declared end of armed struggle, start of pre-cantonment of fighters; but army accused FNL of breaking truce after 100 alleged new recruits arrested 17-18 June. Govt in controversial moves to regain National Assembly: constitutional court 6 June authorised dismissal of 22 defectors from governing CNDD-FDD. Opposition FRODEBU split 8 June; Minani-led wing of 12 joined govt, others said govt strengthening “military dictatorship”.

PALIPEHUTU-FNL leaders returned from Tanzania 16 May, leader Rwasa 30 May, following regional and UN pressure. Talks on implementing 2006 peace agreement resumed 17 May. Ceasefire declaration signed 26 May, but 2 rebels killed 28 May. Army-FNL clashes 5-9 May killed 50 rebels following ambush near capital, displaced some 20,000. Fighting continued despite talks, mid-May UN Peacebuilding Commission visit. Major army offensive 22 May; rebels accused of 22-24 May grenade attacks in Bujumbura, surrounding area: 7 killed, some 20 wounded – FNL denied. Unidentified gunmen killed employee of state-owned Radio Television Nationale du Burundi (RTNB); RTNB cameraman shot in separate incident 12 May.

Major army-FNL rebel clashes raged in Bujumbura and neighbouring provinces from 17 Apr; 52, likely more, reported killed. FNL shelled capital 22 Apr: Vatican embassy compound, university campus hit. Air force bombed rebel positions north west of Bujumbura 30 Apr. Peace process under threat as rebels pledged continued violence until demands met for renewed talks on power sharing; govt rejected. FNL refused to rejoin truce monitoring team, slated to resume 1 Apr, without amnesty. President Nkurunziza urged regional, international political intervention. National Assembly remains paralysed by political crisis. Former ruling CNDD-FDD leader Hussein Radjabu sentenced 3 Apr to 13 years on charges of fomenting instability; planning appeal.

Government said 2 March FNL rebel leaders to return in May to finalise Sept 2006 peace agreement, after talks suspended July 2007; truce monitoring to resume Apr. Progress undermined by 14 March FNL accusation army killed 5 commanders. Simultaneous Bujumbura grenade attacks 8 March targeted 4 recent defectors from ruling CNDD-FDD including former leader Hussein Radjabu’s sister and former National Assembly VP Alice Nzomukunda, no casualties. Parliamentary stalemate continued, with 5 March dissolution of FRODEBU group and appointment of CNDD-FDD Irene Inankuyo as Assembly first VP. 17 FNL rebels, 1 soldier, 2 civilians reported killed in 29 Feb-1 March clashes.

Government-PALIPEHUTU-FNL peace talks scheduled to resume 1 March; mandate of South African facilitator Charles Nqakula extended to end 2008 at talks with FNL 4-5 Feb. FRODEBU leader Pascal Manisha severely wounded in 8 Feb grenade attack, wife and child killed, circumstances unclear. Opposition FRODEBU local council member killed 3 Feb by unidentified gunmen; 46 opposition politicians called on UNSG Ban Ki-moon for protection month end, alleging death-list of 350 opposition members. Policeman killed 17 Feb in army-FNL clashes. Continued insecurity in and around Bujumbura: FNL killed 3 police, abducted 1 soldier 24 Feb, reportedly killed 2 soldiers 26 Feb, fierce fighting reported 29 Feb. 4 officials seized by FNL in recent months released 2 Feb. State prosecutor 1 Feb called for 15 years imprisonment for former leader of ruling CNDD-FDD Hussein Radjabu in his trial on charges of fomenting insurgency.

High-level contacts to relaunch dialogue between government, South African facilitation and PALIPEHUTU-FNL intensified prior to AU summit in Addis Ababa 31 Jan-2 Feb. FNL spokesperson Pasteur Habimana said in 25 Jan interview 7 Sept 2006 ceasefire agreement “rubbish” and imposed by facilitation. Growing insecurity in Bubanza province and some districts of Bujumbura: reported FNL targeting state and elected officials in provinces; intelligence service setting up death squads from demobilised CNDD- FDD and presumed FNL dissidents to target FNL members or sympathisers. 5 FNL fighters killed in clash with government forces in western Musigati region, 9 Jan. Trial of former leader of ruling CNDD-FDD Hussein Radjabu on charges of encouraging instability continued.

Tripartite Plus Joint Commission met 4-5 December; set 31 December deadline for PALIPEHUTU-FNL to re-enter Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism before imposition of travel, financial and armament restrictions: FNL demand security assurances before return. Parliament voted South African mediator Charles Nqakula unsuitable 14 December; accused him of bias. New grouping of regional and international actors “la Direction politique” set up 15 December in response to impasse. FNL attacked army in Bubanza province, 28 December. UNSC extended BINUB mandate to end 2008. Trial began of former leader of ruling CNDD-FDD Hussein Radjabu on charges of encouraging instability.

President Pierre Nkurunziza formed new “government of consensus” 14 November. Cabinet includes members of opposition FRODEBU and UPRONA, who had boycotted parliament since July, ending months of power- sharing consultations with governing CNDD-FDD. Parliament voted in UPRONA’s Yves Sahinguvu as first vice-president 8 November day after predecessor, Martin Nduwimana, resigned to break government-opposition impasse. FNL rebels seized 2 officials 22 November to exchange for imprisoned FNL. 2 soldiers killed in clashes with FNL 24-25 November; government threatened to pursue rebels.

Peace process remained on hold as rebel Palipehutu-FNL refused to attend talks mediated by Charles Nqakula and internal FNL clashes continued. Truce Monitoring Commission resumed activities 20 October; FNL denounced meeting as “meaningless”. FNL attacks on dissidents opposed to Agathon Rwasa included killing of 3 in Bujumbura 13 October and at least 11 south of Bujumbura 21 October. Government troops moved into separate factions 25 October. Consultations between President Pierre Nkurunziza’s governing CNDD-FDD and opposition FRODEBU and UPRONA toward power-sharing agreement continued.

Insecurity increased as rebel group Palipehutu-FNL refused to resume dialogue with government and internal FNL fighting killed 22. Group accused South African mediator Charles Nqakula of pro-government bias 9 September and boycotted 16 September Dar es Salaam talks. FNL also clamped down on “deserters” in Bujumbura 2, 4 September and in Bubanza province 25 September: rebels allied with leader Agathon Rwasa battled factions opposed to July withdrawal from ceasefire agreement. UN Peacebuilding Commission urged FNL to resume talks in 19 September report. AU set 31 December deadline for ceasefire implementation.