DRC Hopeful Peace Talks with Rebels Ends Next Week
DRC Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda (L) and M23 Spokesman Rene Abandi discuss the situation, at DRC peace talks in Kampala, Uganda, Sept. 17. (VOA/A. Hall)
An official of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says peace talks between the government and the M23 rebel group in neighboring Uganda’s capital, Kampala could be concluded next week.
Information Minister Lambert Mende also expressed hope that the conclusion of the talks could pave way for peace, stability and the protection of lives and property in the restive parts of the North Kivu province.
Information Minister Lambert Mende also expressed hope that the conclusion of the talks could pave way for peace, stability and the protection of lives and property in the restive parts of the North Kivu province.
“We are coming to an end because the facilitator the Uganda Minister for Defense [Crispus Kiyonga] has delivered a keynote on which we are going to give our remarks very soon and probably we can finish everything maybe next week,” said Mende. “I think a lot of things that we have said and the facilitator has taken into account, so I think we are approaching a solution.”
I some how doubt it very much.
Talks between the Congolese government and the rebels resumed after heads of state in Africa’s Great Lakes region demanded a resumption of the negotiations.
The African leaders, who recently met in Kampala to find ways of ending the conflict, demanded the talks begin within three days and end within 14 days.
Some observers say the ongoing talks have flouted the regional leaders’ directive to end within the two-week window. But, Mende disagreed.
“It didn’t work [and] we didn’t end the talks within two weeks. But, if we end next week it won’t destroy the work and it will not be a bad thing,” he said.
Talks between the Congolese government and the rebels resumed after heads of state in Africa’s Great Lakes region demanded a resumption of the negotiations.
The African leaders, who recently met in Kampala to find ways of ending the conflict, demanded the talks begin within three days and end within 14 days.
Some observers say the ongoing talks have flouted the regional leaders’ directive to end within the two-week window. But, Mende disagreed.
“It didn’t work [and] we didn’t end the talks within two weeks. But, if we end next week it won’t destroy the work and it will not be a bad thing,” he said.
I suspect that finishing next week or in 6 weeks will make no difference. There is absolutely no point in these talks.
Some of the victims of the M23 rebel insurgency in the restive North Kivu provinces are hopeful that a solution could be reached at the peace talks to ensure peace in the area.
The DRC and the United Nations have accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting armed groups that often fight the Congolese national army. But both Uganda and Rwanda have denied the accusation.
Some of the victims of the M23 rebel insurgency in the restive North Kivu provinces are hopeful that a solution could be reached at the peace talks to ensure peace in the area.
The DRC and the United Nations have accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting armed groups that often fight the Congolese national army. But both Uganda and Rwanda have denied the accusation.
To be fair Uganda seems to have at best an indifferent attitude to the fate of the M23 rebels.
“You know that this rebellion is not a Congolese one,” said Mende. “It was masterminded by Rwanda. So, if Rwanda wants to cooperate with its own commitment, we think that we shall end this sickness of our region.”
“You know that this rebellion is not a Congolese one,” said Mende. “It was masterminded by Rwanda. So, if Rwanda wants to cooperate with its own commitment, we think that we shall end this sickness of our region.”
Rwanda I am sure is reinforcing M23 in anyway it can. If Rwanda was to stand down the troops it has massing on the Congolese border and disown M23 then maybe we could take the peace talks seriously but that is not going to happen.
Mend says the government in Kinshasa is pleased with the peacekeeping wok by the United Nations intervention brigade in the country.
Mend says the government in Kinshasa is pleased with the peacekeeping wok by the United Nations intervention brigade in the country.
I don't doubt it and the International Brigade ( Africa Brigade ) will have more work to do before this situation reaches its conclusion.
“We are satisfied by the effort that is being made by these international forces for one or two months now. We think that a good job will be done as soon as this M23 had decided to disarm, itself we shall see the situation of the FDLR [Hutu rebel group] who are destroying our country and threatening their country and other national armed groups,” said Mende. “We shall disarm all of them and we hope that the job will be done.”
“We are satisfied by the effort that is being made by these international forces for one or two months now. We think that a good job will be done as soon as this M23 had decided to disarm, itself we shall see the situation of the FDLR [Hutu rebel group] who are destroying our country and threatening their country and other national armed groups,” said Mende. “We shall disarm all of them and we hope that the job will be done.”
I just can't see M23 disarming, that said the FDLR need bring to heel fast. The effective elimination of the FDLR ( These are the scum behind the Rwandan genocide ) is as high as a priority as M23. Removing them removes the Rwandan justification for interfering in the DR Congo.
No comments:
Post a Comment