Bujumbura - Security in Burundi's capital was greatly stepped up yesterday, a day before a power-sharing transitional government was due to be installed as a key part of efforts to end a devastating civil war.
Precise details of today's events were a rare commodity, however. It was not clear exactly who would turn up, or how many of the expected 150 exiled politicians would return now that South African troops are on the ground to assure their protection. The only confirmed international dignitaries were Mr Nelson Mandela, the South African former president who has been at the helm of Burundi's peace process since late 1999, and Organisation of African Unity Secretary, Gen Amara Essy.