Mandela was the architect of the transitional government

Burundi's president has called for a debate over his planned departure from power on 1 May.

The power sharing deal allowed for the change of leader exactly half-way through a transitional three year government of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

As part of the deal, a Hutu vice-president is due to take over, but speaking in parliament, Tutsi President Pierre Buyoya told MPs that he wanted a discussion with politicans and the public on the issue.

The BBC's reporter in Burundi, Prime Ndikumagenge told the Focus on Africa programme that the indications are that Mr Buyoya is not ready to leave.

Shaky truce

Mr Buyoya told MPs that there were things that still have to be done that had not been done, during the first 16 months of the transitional government.

Our correspondent says he was referring to an agreement to integrate rebel fighters into the Tutsi-dominated army.

Despite a ceasefire deal with the FDD, fighting continues

The largely Hutu Frodebu party on Thursday said that the power-sharing agreement must be respected in full, or there was no point in signing agreements.

Mr Buyoya also highlighted the government's achievements, including the signing of ceasefire agreements with three of the four main rebel groups.

He warned the National Liberation Front (FNL) rebels that the government would take the fight to them until they signed up to peace.

More than 300,000 people, mainly civilians, have been killed in the nine-year civil war in Burundi.

A shaky truce has not been observed and fighting continues, even with the Front for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) rebels, that have signed a ceasefire.