Government unable to confirm rebel claims

The DRC government on Tuesday said it had no confirmation that the Katangese towns of Kakuyu and Lubefa, some 300 km from Mbuju Mayi, were under rebel control. Filip Tambwe of the information ministry told IRIN the front had been stabilised and there was "no change" in the position of the government's allies, notably Zimbabwe and Angola. However, an AFP journalist who visited Kakuyu on Monday said the rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) appeared to have set up a headquarters there. Regarding discussions between the government and rebels, Tambwe said any talks would take place during the proposed national debate. The debate would encompass all sides in the DRC, and government activity was now focused on this, he added. He could not confirm reports that President Laurent-Desire Kabila, during a recent visit to Tanzania, had sought the services of ex-Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere as mediator in talks with the RCD, but added it "would not be surprising". Regional analysts on Tuesday told IRIN a "stalemate" had been reached in the DRC conflict which could pave the way to more constructive ceasefire negotiations. [For full story, see IRIN-English item no.598]