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Reference code
ZA COM NMOP-ZA COM NMOP-2012/17-ZA COM NMOP-2012/17-4
Title
Letter to Kofi Annan [un004.jpg]
Date(s)
- 2001-08-05 - ? (Creation)
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page
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1 typed page
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Scope and content
Page 2 of 2 of a letter written by Nelson Mandela to Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations re the Burundi Peace Mission.
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Access by permission of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
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Copyright held by the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
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- English
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Note
-2-
According to the meeting the envisaged contingency would only be implemented after the following two conditions have been met;-
1. A ceasefire agreement has been signed by all parties to the conflict.
2. A political leader, acceptable to all parties in Burundi, had been
identified.
As pointed out above, a political leader has now been chosen by 14 out of 19 signatories for the first phase of the Transitional Government.
The question of a ceasefire is more complicated and it may take a fairly long time before it is achieved, if at all. We have, however, two highly competent and hardworking leaders who are dealing with the matter. But we should by no means underestimate the immense problems which might make a solution difficult to attain.
In this regard it might be necessary for international or regional organisations to adjust the principles they have carefully and correctly formulated in the past for the purpose of either peace keeping or peace enforcement. Bearing in mind the senseless slaughter of innocent and defenceless civilians in Burundi, it might well be that this is one instance where flexibility would be justified.
For an International or regional organisation to insist on the signing of a ceasefire before intervention might mean in effect that adherence to rules is regarded as more important than stopping the carnage of innocent civilians.
You will recall, Secretary-General, that the 1999 Lusaka Summit called upon Mr Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye of the F.D.D. to disarm. Two years since then Jean Bosco has not only failed to respond but still operates from the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is some indication that we are going to get better co-operation in this regard from the other Hutu armed group, the F.N.L.
However tragic events might be in any particular country, no foreign armed force should be allowed to intervene without the sanction of the Security Council. It is in this spirit that we draw your attention to the urgency of the matter.
We are confident that your wisdom and enormous experience in these matters will enable us to solve the whole problem of security, not only for the leaders who want to return, but also for the Burundi civilians.
We wish you good health and strength.
Sincerely
[Signed]
N R Mandela
Burundi Facilitator
According to the meeting the envisaged contingency would only be implemented after the following two conditions have been met;-
1. A ceasefire agreement has been signed by all parties to the conflict.
2. A political leader, acceptable to all parties in Burundi, had been
identified.
As pointed out above, a political leader has now been chosen by 14 out of 19 signatories for the first phase of the Transitional Government.
The question of a ceasefire is more complicated and it may take a fairly long time before it is achieved, if at all. We have, however, two highly competent and hardworking leaders who are dealing with the matter. But we should by no means underestimate the immense problems which might make a solution difficult to attain.
In this regard it might be necessary for international or regional organisations to adjust the principles they have carefully and correctly formulated in the past for the purpose of either peace keeping or peace enforcement. Bearing in mind the senseless slaughter of innocent and defenceless civilians in Burundi, it might well be that this is one instance where flexibility would be justified.
For an International or regional organisation to insist on the signing of a ceasefire before intervention might mean in effect that adherence to rules is regarded as more important than stopping the carnage of innocent civilians.
You will recall, Secretary-General, that the 1999 Lusaka Summit called upon Mr Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye of the F.D.D. to disarm. Two years since then Jean Bosco has not only failed to respond but still operates from the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is some indication that we are going to get better co-operation in this regard from the other Hutu armed group, the F.N.L.
However tragic events might be in any particular country, no foreign armed force should be allowed to intervene without the sanction of the Security Council. It is in this spirit that we draw your attention to the urgency of the matter.
We are confident that your wisdom and enormous experience in these matters will enable us to solve the whole problem of security, not only for the leaders who want to return, but also for the Burundi civilians.
We wish you good health and strength.
Sincerely
[Signed]
N R Mandela
Burundi Facilitator