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Libya
leader joins Congo peace efforts
Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi has joined efforts to broker an end to fighting between the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo and rebel forces, who have fought a five-month long campaign to oust their former ally.
According to a wire service report, Mr. Gadhafi met with Congolese President Laurent Kabila in Tripoli on Dec. 25 and rebel leaders were also in the Libyan capitol. Mr. Kabila thanked Col. Gadhafi for his outreach to "all the parties to the conflict in Congo with a view to reaching a peaceful solution to this issue within an African framework," the report said.
The Associated Press reported that whether Congolese President Laurent Kabila met face-to-face with rebel leaders was unclear. Mr. Kabila's refusal to meet with rebels leaders have made efforts to broker peace deal difficult.
The Congo president charges outside intervention is the root of his problem and also wants troops from Rwanda and Uganda withdrawn. Those troops have supported rebel soldiers, who accuse Mr. Kabila of mismanagement, corruption and inciting ethnic divisions. Mr. Kabila says he can only negotiate with Rwanda and Uganda, who backed him in his fight to oust the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
The rebel forces are made up of ethnic Tutsis, unhappy Congolese soldiers and opposition politicians and battles have come to a virtual standstill. The rebels have demanded direct negotiations with Mr. Kabila. According to the wire service report, the rebels have ostensibly agreed to a cease-fire, but only if negotiated by Mr. Kabila.
Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, and Chad have lent Mr. Kabila's government support through troops and arms. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) has put forward a peace plan that includes a cease-fire, withdrawal of foreign troops and talks to discuss the country's future.
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