Peace talks: DR Congo’s only option

This week, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government announced that it was willing to meet directly with National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) leader General Laurent Nkunda. Kinshasa’s Foreign Minister Alexis Thambe Mwamba announced on Friday that the government and rebel negotiators would meet soon in Kenya to formalise an uneasy ceasefire. The Congolese government had in the past rejected a proposal to meet General Nkunda. The government has tried a military option but this has only exacerbated the situation especially in eastern DRC. The fighting has killed many and displaced more than 250,000 in the recent months. Each time Congolese government and Nkunda fight, it is always innocent civilians that suffer most. The recent gains made by Nkunda against government forces, mean that Nkunda is strong and has Congolese support. It is therefore good news to hear that the Congolese government is inviting General Nkunda for peace talks. Eastern DR Congo has for many years become a safe haven for all negative forces in the region and when Nkunda and government negotiators meet, perhaps a lasting solution will be found. News that DR Congo has also agreed to take action against Forces for the liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels is a productive move. The FDLR rebels have lived in the eastern DR Congo since the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis and have been a key factor in destabilising the region. The government of Rwanda and DR Congo on Friday agreed to a joint operational plan against the ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia. The historical agreement was reached after a two-day high- level bilateral meeting at Cap Kivu Hotel. The Congolese government has often promised to stop FDLR from using its territory, but this is yet to be seen. In last year’s Nairobi agreement, the FDLR forces were meant to have been disarmed by the end of August but nothing has been done yet. Contact: Ssuuna2000@yahoo.co.uk