BUJUMBURA (AFP) — Burundi's government and last active rebel group signed an unconditional ceasefire agreement Monday, raising hopes of a definitive end to the small central African nation's 15-year civil war.
The deal between the government and the National Liberation Forces (FNL) was reached after a six-week round of fresh fighting that left more than 100 people dead and thousands displaced.
"We the Palipehutu-FNL and the government of Burundi... declare on May 26, 2008 an immediate cessation of hostilities," said the joint document signed during a ceremony attended by the press.
The Palipehutu is the rebels' political branch.
Both sides pledged to instruct their forces on the ground to cease hostilities within six hours of the signing, which took place at 9:30 am (0730 GMT).
"The significance of this declaration for the government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL is that the war should finally end and Burundians enjoy lasting peace and stability," the agreement said.
"This is the first time that such a declaration of cessation of hostilities is signed," said FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana. "For Palipehutu-FNL, this means the war stops forever."
General Evariste Ndayshimiye, chief government negotiator and top military aide to President Pierre Nkurunziza, signed the agreement for the government side.
"The government is satisfied with this cessation of hostilities because it is what the people wanted," Ndayshimiye said.
Also present at the signing was South African mediator Kingsley Mamabolo.
The conflict in Burundi has left at least 300,000 people dead in 15 years and fears had mounted of another protracted period of bloodletting when combat resumed on April 17.
FNL leaders returned to Bujumbura from exile on May 16 to resume talks. A ceasefire agreement was reached between the two sides in 2006 but its implementation never got off the ground.
Both sides waived most of the pre-conditions they had laid for a ceasefire but the rebels obtained an undertaking that their forces would be given supplies.
"This time we're hopeful the war will end once and for all because the FNL were granted their demand for supplies but we have to quickly move on," Ndayshimiye said.
FNL troops will be expected to regroup in designated areas as part of the rebel demobilisation plan laid out in the ceasefire agreement.
The latest spate of clashes erupted six weeks ago when FNL rebels launched a major attack in and around Bujumbura.
The government retaliated with a massive air and land operation that sent rebels back to the hills surrounding the capital.
The rebels had asked for the deployment of an international intervention force before signing an agreement.
In a further sign this latest agreement was serious, Mamabolo announced that top FNL leader Agathon Rwasa was expected to return from his exile in Tanzania "in early June".
The FNL spokesman said he expected Rwasa -- whose return to Bujumbura was delayed several times -- to be in the Burundian capital by June 4.
A diplomat speaking to AFP in Bujumbura on condition of anonymity voiced cautious optimism about peace prospects in Burundi, one of the least developed nations in the world.
"We're entering a political phase and I sincerely believe that the period of conflict is behind us," he said. "But it's going to be very tough."
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