Proposed DRC mini-summit postponed

A proposed mini-summit on the DRC, which was scheduled for 4 July in Algeria, has been postponed, Algerian television reported on Sunday. It quoted Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also the current chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), as saying that following consultations with his African counterparts on whether it was possible to hold the summit, it “became evident that it would not be possible for a number of people to attend on the above date because of other commitments”. “Therefore, the president of the republic and current OAU chairman has proposed that [African] leaders should hold their mini-summit on the sidelines of the 36th OAU summit, due to be held in Lome, Togo between 10-12 July 2000,” the television said. Bouteflika reiterated his country’s willingness to hold meetings, “either African or otherwise, that might help find solutions to the continent’s problems”. Diplomatic sources told IRIN on Friday that President Bouteflika had invited the belligerents in the DRC crisis and organisations involved in diplomatic efforts to the Algiers meeting. South Africa, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia were also invited.