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National debate to take place in 30 days

    NAIROBI
    DRC President Laurent-Desire Kabila on Wednesday announced his government was planning to hold the country's national debate - a condition of the Lusaka accord - in Kinshasa in 30 days' time, state television reported. He said it could only be held in Kinshasa because "we have the necessary facilities". He assured rebel groups of their safety in the city, saying the government had already made the "pledge" by offering the rebels an amnesty. Furthermore, they were free to express any opinions. "This is a pledge, a pledge in the face of our people, but also a pledge in the face of the international community," he said. However, according to the BBC, the rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-Goma faction has refused to take part in the debate. Spokesman Paul Musafiri was reported as saying the group had turned down Kabila's proposal because the country did not belong to him.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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