DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: National debate on "with or without" rebels

The national debate planned by the DRC government in Nairobi next month will take place "with or without" representatives of rebel factions, an official at the DRC embassy in Nairobi told IRIN on Wednesday. It will be an entirely "in-house" affair, he said. "The invitation is to all Congolese of goodwill to come and discuss the future of their nation. Rebels are invited, they are Congolese too," the official said. "The problem is not whether the rebels attend or not. The problem is whether Congolese of different ideologies and perceptions can come and discuss issues affecting them," the official noted. He said the country had to start somewhere. "We are in search of a solution which can satisfy the Congolese." The meeting, due to be held in the Kenyan capital from 8-15 May, aims to discuss the future constitution of the country, the legitimacy of power, formation of a transitional government and elections. "The president [Laurent-Desire Kabila] has often said if he is defeated in the ballot he will honourably accept it," the official added. The conference will also discuss liberalisation of political parties. "Considering that we have 400 political parties ... we would like to see how these could be condensed," he said. Participation by rebels of the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) is doubtful. They earlier refused to attend proposed inter-Congolese talks in Rome, which were shelved at the last minute for financialreasons. The DRC embassy official told IRIN the government and its "friends" were the main financiers of the Nairobi meeting, which was intended to bring together the government, opposition parties, rebels, civil society and observers. The UN, EU, OAU, various countries and regional bodies will participate as observers, he added.