“Last chance” meeting kicks off in Lusaka

Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, who is chairing a summit of signatories to the Lusaka peace accord, has said he is confident Monday’s meeting will put the Lusaka process “back on track”, Zambian radio reported. He said he had been saddened “by those who turned their backs on the signed agreement”. Leaders of all the belligerent sides - Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, DRC and the three rebel groups - are expected in Lusaka.

The Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) said the outcome of Monday’s summit would determine the future of the already fragile peace process. “It is a make or break summit,” RCD security chief Bizima Karaha told IRIN. “All of us have to look at the Lusaka agreement because it seems some of the signatories have forgotten its contents, and recommit ourselves to its full implementation...Failure to do this means fullscale war which is not going to help anybody.” Rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda are fighting to overthrow President Laurent-Desire Kabila, who says the two countries must withdraw their troops before he implements the accord. Uganda and Rwanda are demanding full implementation before completely withdrawing their troops. “We expect the regional heads of state to be bold and tell Kabila to respect Lusaka, because it is clear that he is not interested in peace,” Rwandan presidential adviser for the Great Lakes, Patrick Mazimhaka, told IRIN on Monday.