Mandela succeeds in raising European support for Burundi peace effort

Nelson Mandela has succeeded in raising European financial support for a force to police the peace agreement he brokered to end Burundi's civil war.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt told the former South African president that Belgium would provide dlrs 5 million to finance a peacekeeping force and would ask the rest of the European Union to contribute a further dlrs 17 million.

Mandela said he hoped South Africa would send 700 troops to provide security as exiled Hutu leaders return to Burundi to join Tutsi politicians in a transitional government due to take office Nov. 1.

"Without a special protection force in place, there could be problems," Mandela told reporters. Verhofstadt agreed that a force was essential to back up the peace plan.

Belgium currently holds the EU's rotating presidency and has stressed Europe will not neglect Africa, despite the focus on Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism. Belgium is focusing on helping end conflicts in its former central African colonies: Burundi, Rwanda and Congo.

The South African government has yet to give its reply to Mandela's request for troops, but a spokesman said Monday it was considering deploying forces.

Fighting between rebels from Burundi's Hutu ethnic majority and the mainly Tutsi army has killed more than 200,000 people over eight years. In the past month, combat has intensified as hundreds of rebels moved into northwestern Burundi from bases in neighboring Congo.

Mandela praised the Belgians for their efforts to encourage peace efforts in Congo. He said an end to the war in Burundi's giant neighbor was vital for the region.

"Without peace in Congo, our victory in Burundi may be very hollow," Mandela said.