ZAMBIA: PEACE SUMMIT

(15 Feb 2001) English/Nat
Rebels and government leaders from around Africa opened a summit on Thursday to discuss how to end the two and a half year war in the Congo.
Prior to the summit there were signs that the meeting between the warring parties, would be productive, but earlier this week Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced he would not attend, saying Zambian President Frederick Chiluba is not an impartial mediator.
Diplomats outside the talks expressed concern that the absence of Rwanda, which backs some rebels and has its own troops in Congo, could keep the talks from moving the peace process forward.
The Congolese have expressed renewed willingness to discuss peace since Joseph Kabila became president last month following the assassination of his father, Laurent.
A top rebel leader said the political will existed to make major progress at the summit, and
the United Nations said Monday that peacekeepers could be ready to go to Congo within a few weeks.
Congo's civil war was renewed in August 1998 when Laurent Kabila's main sponsors, Uganda and Rwanda, turned against him and began supporting an anti-government rebellion.
He held onto power and kept the rebels at bay with the help of Angola, Zimbabwe and
Namibia.
A cease-fire agreement was signed in 1999 by most of the countries and rebel factions, but fighting persists, with all sides accusing the others of violations.
But now, Joseph Kabila has pledged his commitment to the 1999 deal and the Congolese appear to accept a disputed Botswana mediator for dialogue among Congo's political groups.
Although it is difficult to tell at first glance, the riches of Congo are staggering, with 65 percent of the world's cobalt, the planet's second-largest reserves of industrial diamonds and vast copper deposits.
Blanketed with rain forests and endless savannahs, its tourism potential alone is worth millions of dollars a year.
However, the sprawling nation is a disaster - wrung out by corrupt rulers, carved up by warring armies and filled with people just a few meals short of starvation.
Various rebel factions control nearly half the country.
Since Laurent Kabila's death, Congo's allies have increased the number of their soldiers in Congo.
Despite the troop increase, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe expressed hopes for peace.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are ready to withdraw our forces in the context of peace coming to the Congo. As committed as we are, then peace will come and so we pray."
SUPER CAPTION: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe President
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"President Kabila died for peace. He is a great man who has always fought for peace, dignity and the independence of Africa. Over the next few days I will be inviting the former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire, to discuss the modalities and the ways of relaunching the inter-Congolese dialogue that has been stalled."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Kabila, Congo President
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The question of peace is extremely urgent. The Congo without peace in this devastated situation means that at the same time that Africa is regressing."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Delegate
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"At this very moment the Security Council is meeting to be presented with the sixth report of the Security General and is also considering the new concept of operations the monarch is presenting."
SUPER CAPTION: United Nations Spokesman
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[@solangejeanne9463]

Incapable ! Sans cœur ! Tufi na yo Ozali zoba tu vas regretter toute ta vie !

[@aidahddumba7764]

Start of God bless Moise isaac afike kishasa 23 mungu niwetu sote nrkiv RDC goma kiwanja atembee isaking God bless

[@aidahddumba7764]

God Israel bless isaac WN RDC goma kiwanja atembee isaking God bless

[@jean-nehemiendalamba4553]

L’homme de la paix. Mais toujours combattue. RAIS. Et je remercie beaucoup le Zimbabwe qui nous ont toujours soutenue. Mugabe est un homme de parole et un frère d’arme.

[@rasramazani539]

slim shady ehhhh😳😳😳😳

[@gahangwasteve8789]

Zimbabwe lost to much in the Congo, it may have everything to do with their current mess there

[@dominiquekivatila4956]

Mawa ayebaki ata eloko moko té kaka po na intérêts ya mindele?

[@user-ir4of4sg5o]

selon vous les talibans

[@nbaben10]

Mugabe