Proposed dialogue “undermined”

Contrary to the provisions of Lusaka, President Laurent-Desire Kabila has started his national debate “only on issues of his choosing, and not the ‘national dialogue’ provided for in the agreements”, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in DRC, Roberto Garreton, stated in his latest report. While the peace accord envisaged the participation of delegates from opinion groups, Congolese political parties, civil organisations and the rebel groups, Garreton had been told by Kabila that the national debate would suffice. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Ndombasi stated, “in clear contradiction of Lusaka”, that there would be no dialogue until the political parties, NGOs and rebels reached an agreement, Garreton said. He added that the government and rebels alike were antagonistic towards any form of independent civil or political organisation, including NGOs, and the political aspects of Lusaka were no more advanced than the military ones.