Masire team concerned over lack of contributions

The team of the facilitator of the inter-Congolese dialogue has expressed concern over the lack of contributions enabling it to carry out its work. Philip Winter, the chef de cabinet of the facilitator, former Botswanan president Ketumile Masire, told IRIN that by 16 June - with the exception of the UK - no contributions had been received out of nearly US $6 million pledged. The UK had contributed US $40,000, he said. “We are functioning, but we’re stretched to the limit,” he added. On the process itself, Winter said the facilitator had made progress in bringing all the sides together, with the exception of DRC President Laurent-Desire Kabila, who has rejected Masire, and civil society groups which were prevented from leaving Kinshasa to attend the first preparatory meeting in Cotonou, Benin. A second preparatory meeting is planned for 3 July in Gaborone, Botswana, and regional analysts say it is hoped the signatories of the Lusaka accord will point out to Kabila it is in his best interests to attend. The analysts believe Kabila is stalling because the success of the inter-Congolese dialogue could lead to his loss of power.