Inter-Congolese meeting starts in Cotonou

The preparatory inter-Congolese dialogue meeting started on Tuesday in Cotonou, Benin, an official from the office of the talks facilitator Ketumile Masire told IRIN. She said although there was a delay at the start, "it is now on". The meeting had been scheduled to take place from 5-7 June, but was delayed because some of the participants could not make it to the venue on time. "Some arrived this morning [Tuesday]," she said. "Because of the facilitator's engagements abroad, I think the meeting could end as planned," she added. Rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) head of intelligence Bizima Karaha confirmed to IRIN on Tuesday that the party's representatives were attending the Cotonou meeting.