Rebels meet to “harmonise views”

Rival rebel groups in the DRC and their backers are continuing their reconciliation meeting in the southwestern Ugandan town of Kabale. A leading official of the Goma-based Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD), Bizima Karaha, told IRIN on Wednesday consultations were underway between the different groups on “harmonising their positions” ahead of wider negotiations for a peaceful settlement to the DRC crisis. “The process of bringing peace is long,” said Karaha, who heads the RCD’s intelligence and security department. “The warring parties [rebels and government forces] have to agree on a unilateral or bilateral ceasefire, then cease hostilities. They have to negotiate peace between the military and political entities, and negotiate on the political course. They have to identify a neutral country to mediate, negotiate on security matters, then the opponents can talk of peace having come.” Karaha maintained that without systematically addressing these issues, the quest for peace may be in vain. “This meeting is for us to discuss and harmonise certain issues, all within the framework of the Lusaka peace process,” he added. He would not be drawn on whether there had been any progress, but said the meeting was continuing. The RCD faction based in Kisangani is represented in Kabale by its leader Ernest Wamba dia Wamba whereas the third rebel group, Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC), is represented by its head Jean-Pierre Bemba. The rebels’ backers Uganda and Rwanda are also represented, while Tanzania is attending as a neutral party.