Former South African President Nelson Mandela, the chief mediator of the peace process said he was confident to bring peace to Burundi even though Hutu rebels have not signed the peace deal. The peace accord calls for a transitional government, a new upper house of parliament, and equal representation for Burundi's Hutu majority in the army, which has been dominated by Tutsis since the country's independence. Congo rebels discover 51 bodies in town recently captured from the government. He said the 47 men and 4 women appeared to have been shot at close range by government soldiers. All sides of the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been accused of killing and harassing civilians.
Burundi army launches a major operation against rebels.
The army of Burundi has launched a major operation against rebels in hills to the south of Bujumbura, the capital. The army used mortars and shells against the rebels. The operation followed several rebel attacks on the outskirts of the capital. An accord aimed at ending the seven-year civil war has been signed in August in the Tanzanian town of Arusha. East The first group of United Nations observers arrives in the Horn Region.