Nelson Mandela said today he and Burundi President Pierre Buyoya had thrashed out a plan designed to speed up the implementation of a transitional government in the war-torn central African country.
Speaking to reporters at his office here after holding talks with Mr Buyoya, Mr Mandela said the plan was to implement the transition over three years, with a Tutsi president and a Hutu vice-president during the first 18 months and to reverse the process during the last 18 months.
"We don't want any delay as far as that (the transitional government) is concerned," Mr Mandela said. "He (Buyoya) is going back now to brief the cabinet, the national assembly and the people of Burundi on what we have agreed upon."
He added the peace process in Burundi was "going on very well".
Regarding negotiations on the ceasefire, President Omar Bongo of Gabon and South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma were in discussions with the armed groups in the country, Mr Mandela said.
"But we are not waiting for any solution, any decision on their part, we are going on with essential things, that must be conducted, for example, the transitional government," Mr Mandela said.
Mr Buyoya, in turn, said he believed he and Mandela had set a good base for the peace process to move forward.
AFP