First democratic vote in 12 years - to approve power-sharing constitution - passed off peacefully 28 February. President Domitien Ndayizeye quashed speculation he would attempt last-minute changes to draft constitution, saying would not run in presidential elections. Most parties (but not Tutsi- dominated UPRONA) agreed to accept result of referendum. Three Tutsi-dominated parties, including UPRONA, recommended “no” vote, but “yes” vote appeared on course. Sole remaining rebel group, Forces nationales de libération (FNL), said it would not disrupt vote; peace negotiations believed imminent. FNL rejected possible role for South African Deputy President Zuma - Burundi’s principal peace mediator - preferring UN Special Representative Carolyn McAskie.

Consolidation of fragile peace process despite continued sporadic violence between newly unified army and sole remaining rebels, Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL). Army claimed 45 FNL rebels killed, and thousands of civilians fled, in fighting east of Bujumbura 1 January. FNL denied role in shooting of governor of Bubanza province near Rukoko stronghold 23 January. Electoral commission set 28 February date for delayed constitutional referendum, but set no date for elections; published register of over 3 million voters; detractors pointed to anomalies, while UPRONA Tutsi party figure said elections not currently possible. South African mediator Jacob Zuma warned President Ndayizeye against amending draft constitution before referendum to allow him to run again. Government declared half-million people at famine risk in northern Kirundo and Muyinga provinces.

Constitutional reform referendum planned for 22 December delayed by electoral commission 14 December citing need for prior publication of register; new date expected January. Reports circulated that President Ndayizeye seeks to alter mode of presidential election and his own eligibility to stand. Demobilisation and reintegration of up to 55,000 former fighters began Muramyva province under UN supervision; Security Council extended UN mission to June 2005. Electoral registration completed, though some without identity cards unable to register. Some 27,000 IDPs began return to Bujumbura Rural province, former stronghold of FNL Hutu rebels. Army attacked FNL based Uvira, DR Congo, 15 December; 3 rebels and 1 soldier killed in clash Bujumbura suburb 28 December.

Peace process back on track after so-called Tutsi parties agreed draft constitution 31 October. Hutu President Ndayizeye fired Tutsi Vice-President Alphonse-Marie Kadege 10 November accusing him of obstruction; move endorsed by Tutsi and Hutu leaders. Tutsi and UPRONA-member Federic Ngenzebuhoro appointed new vice-president. National Electoral Commission delayed constitutional referendum until 22 December citing logistical problems. Implementation and Monitoring Committee for 2000 Arusha accords said new schedule workable; voter registration underway. UN Security Council members visiting Bujumbura stressed “no alternative” to April 2005 presidential elections; disarmament and reintegration of some 55,000 former fighters began 28 November. UN mission expressed concern about looting by former rebel groups following incident Bujumbura 2 November.

Constitutional crisis alleviated 31 October by agreement of 5 of 6 so-called Tutsi parties to support draft constitution. Tutsi parties previously opposed constitution approved by transitional parliament 20 October, threatening boycott. Parties objected to counting of Tutsis in so-called Hutu parties in power-sharing quotas for parliament. UPRONA, main Tutsi party, remained opposed. Regional leaders endorsed 6-month extension of President Ndayizeye’s transitional government 15 October in recognition of expected failure to meet 2000 Arusha accords’ 31 October election deadline. Presidential elections delayed to 22 April 2005; local elections to be held February and legislative elections March 2005. Meanwhile, clashes killed 15 members of Hutu FNL group opposed to peace deal south of Bujumbura 28 October.

Unlikely Burundi able to hold elections by 31 October Arusha Agreement deadline. President Ndayizeye summoned extraordinary session of National Assembly and Senate 15-20 September to vote on draft constitution, achieving necessary majority. Members of 10 minority Tutsi parties who refused to sign Pretoria power-sharing agreement in August stayed away and claimed convocation illegal, calling for court ruling. Ndayizeye called 20 October referendum on draft constitution. Although only remaining active Hutu rebel group in Burundi, Forces Nationales de Libération, claimed sole responsibility for 13 August massacre of 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees at Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi, questions still remain about involvement of Congolese forces. UN began implementing plans to transfer refugees further into Burundi; many refused, returning to DR Congo despite violent protests Uvira, DR Congo.

Massacre of 160 Congolese Tutsi refugees 13 August at UN-run Gatumba camp, 9km north of Bujumbura; only remaining Burundi rebel group, Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL), claimed responsibility, though eyewitnesses reported involvement of Congolese army, Mai-Mai militias and Rwandan Hutu rebels based in DR Congo (DRC). DRC border opened and closed repeatedly on spillover fears: Burundi accused DRC soldiers of shooting across border 30 August. Burundi peace process remained broadly on-track at regional summit Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 18 August with affirmation of 31 October 2004 deadline for elections (as stipulated in 2000 Arusha accords) and agreement on interethnic power-sharing formula. However, 10 main Tutsi parties boycotted saying process sidelined them. Burundi army claimed 3 FNL rebels dead after clashes near Ruyaga army base, south of Bujumbura. 3,000 displaced by fighting in Bujumbura province 28 August.

Majority Hutu Forces for the Defence of Democracy rebel group said 27 July would rejoin interim power-sharing administration. Final power-sharing talks in Pretoria ended without agreement 21 July, but subsequent trip to Bujumbura by South African mediator Jacob Zuma 26-27 July broke deadlock. Six minority Tutsi parties boycotted talks. Constitutional agreement necessary if 31 October election deadline stipulated in 2000 Arusha accords to be met. UN peacekeepers deployed throughout Bujumbura Rural province.

As country’s 3-year political transition nears 31 October end-date, pockets of violence continue in Bujumbura Rural province. Army, now including members of former CNDD-FDD rebels, clashed 14 June with forces of FNL/Palipehutu, only armed group not involved in ceasefire negotiations with transitional government. Fighting that broke out 26 May in Bukavu, DR Congo, has led to influx of Congolese refugees. UN High Commissioner for Refugees said some 34,000 crossed into Burundi, now in Rugombo, Cibitoke and Gatumba. Refugees wary of returning to DRC despite lessening violence. UN officially took over Africa Union mission in support of peace process 2 June.

Forces de défense de la démocratie (FDD) temporarily withdrew from unity government 2 May prompting collapse fears. UNHCR estimated 40,000 Burundian refugees returned from Tanzania since January, but 20,000 people internally displaced in same period due to fighting between government and rebel Hutu FNL forces in Bujumbura Rural province. Army claims it killed 9 FNL rebels 14 May and further 13 29 May; denied by FNL. UN Security Council approved new UN peacekeeping operation to be established from 1 June numbering 5,650 military personnel and incorporating current African Union mission. Burundi government proposal to extend transition period to 29 October 2005 refused by South African team 28 May as Pretoria electoral talks drag on.