Inter-Congolese dialogue talks resume

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) politicians on Wednesday resumed their dialogue in South Africa's Sun City after agreeing to expel two delegates. Both were challengers to the leadership of major opposition parties and, as such, were regarded by most observers as allies, rather than opponents, of the government.

As security adviser to late President Mobutu Sese Seko, one of them, Vunduawe Te Pemako, is also believed to have had access to secret police files on many people at the dialogue. Former supporters of Mobutu were particularly keen to see him excluded.

The other, Frederic Kibassa Maliba, is a challenger to the leadership of the best known opposition party, l'Union pour la democratie et le progres social (UDPS), members of which are rumoured to have pledged support for Jean-Pierre Bemba's rebel group, Mouvement pour la liberation du Congo (MLC), provided that the MLC supported the move to oust Maliba. The UDPS, MLC and other opposition parties signed a pact six months ago, but have denied that it was anything more than a declaration of principles and national unity.

Vunduawe and Maliba were among a contested list of 20 delegates who were to be added to the delegation representing the unarmed opposition parties at the ICD. In a compromise move, the other 18 of these delegates have now been approved, bringing to 68 the number of delegates to represent the unarmed opposition. As a counter-measure, the government delegation and the two main rebel movements - MLC and Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) - are also to be represented by 68 delegates each.

All five main groups in the dialogue - the government, the opposition, MLC, RCD and civil society - took part in plenary sessions on Wednesday, and a committee of 15 delegates from the five groups has been discussing rules and procedures.

"Everybody is there now, it has all been resolved," AFP quoted the secretary-general of MLC, Olivier Kamitatu, as saying.

Despite the significant progress that has been made, some "hiccups" do remain, according to DRC Information Minister Kikaya Bin Karubi.

Some eight representatives of the Mayi-Mayi militia groups still have to be approved. They will participate as part of the civil society delegation.

It has been agreed that splinter group RCD-Mouvement de liberation (RCD-ML), which is split into several factions, should also increase its membership from nine to 16. But Mbusa Nyamwisi, leader of RCD-ML, is calling for his quota to be increased to 68, in keeping with the government, MLC and RCD.

RCD-ML argues that since it has equal representation with other rebel groups on the Joint Military Commission and the Political Committee set up under the Lusaka accord, it should also be treated as an equal at the ICD. So far, no other group has openly sided with RCD-ML on the issue, while the government's position remains unclear; Nyamwisi's troops are said to have on occasion fought alongside government troops.

Six delegates from the civil society group have not yet arrived in Sun City. A civil society spokeswoman, Gertrude Biaya Ndaya, said all six were in territory occupied by rebels and appeared to have been held up by rebel authorities.

One of the missing delegates, Firmin Yangambi from Kisangani, had his passport retained by local authorities in January, and two other missing delegates had not been allowed to attend any preparatory sessions, she said. To reach the dialogue, one delegate had set off for the nearest airport on a motorcycle, but was chased and forced to return home, she added. Minister Bin Karubi said their cases were being dealt with.

Some participants also told AFP they believed the unarmed opposition had thrown away its credibility by accepting the extra 18 politicians into its ranks. Kamitatu said he believed "the real opposition has been diluted, and therefore this component of the dialogue is weaker than ever. It will be very difficult to create a dynamic with the opposition, and this will therefore place more responsibility on the shoulders of the belligerents," he added.

Meanwhile, there was concern among the organisers of the dialogue that the extra delegates might push the conference beyond its budget, AP reported. The inter-Congolese dialogue in Ethiopia last year failed for several reasons, including a lack of funding.

"I will not be surprised if we have to come out and ask for money again," AP quoted Bo Heineback, donor relations manager for the talks, as saying.