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Former Mobutu allies gather in Kampala

[Niger] Two men squat in deep discussion behind the meeting held on 5th march in In Ates, 277km north west of Niger, where 7,000 people held in slavery in Niger were expected to be released. Rights groups were dismayed when the district's chief backtracke IRIN/ G. Cranston
    NIAMEY

    More than 30 former army generals, colonels and other more junior officers, all of whom served in the army of former Zairean dictator Mobutu Sese-Seko, are in Kampala ready to join the Ernest Wamba dia Wamba faction of the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie ( RCD). The team, led by Philemon Barimuto, is scheduled to meet President Yoweri Museveni before travelling to Kisangani where they will constitute the RCD high command, the semi- official ‘Sunday Vision’ said. Analysts say Uganda has also been working very hard to unify RCD under Wamba’s leadership and that of the Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC) led by Jean-Pierre Bemba. The generals are said to be mobilising hundreds of exiled Mobutu soldiers for the war effort.

    Presidential Press Secretary Hope Kivengere told IRIN the numerous meetings particularly on the DRC crisis which have been going on in Kampala are a result of several months of discussions with parties involved. “It is the fruit of months of quiet discussions and talks back and forth. When looking for peace it is hard work and all possible contacts must be used. This is why (Libyan leader Muammar) Gadaffi’s role is very important, he has the contacts,” she said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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