Bemba, Mbusa reach a "compromise"

Uganda-backed rebel leaders currently meeting in Kampala to try and end factional disputes in the east of the DRC have reached a compromise deal to share the territory, a Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-Mouvement de liberation (RCD-ML) spokesman Suddin bin Museme told IRIN on Thursday. He said that under the deal, "yet to be endorsed", both Jean-Pierre Bemba who is the leader of the Front pour la liberation du Congo (FLC) and his rival Mbusa Nyamwisi who announced a coup last week and declared the FLC "dead" are to have autonomy in areas in eastern Congo. "It does not mean the FLC has come to an end," Suddin noted. "It will remain in place but to neutralise the situation on the control, both Bemba and Mbusa are to control areas that belonged to the MLC and RCD-Kisangani before the merger," he explained. Uganda's Minister of State for Regional co-operation Colonel Kahinda Otafire, however, declined to discuss the matter. He told IRIN that "he was not aware of the deal". Bemba is the founder of the Movement of the Liberation of Congo (MLC) while Mbusa is a founder member of the RCD-ML. In January this year, the MLC which used to operate in Equator Province was merged with the RCD-ML to form the FLC. Under the merger, Bemba is the president of the FLC and commander of the armed forces of the rebel group. His first vice president is Mbusa Nyamwisi. Ernest Wamba dia Wamba whose leadership of the RCD-ML was being contested by Mbusa refused to sign the merger agreement. According to Suddin, the meeting between Bemba and Mbusa was mediated by Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday. Under the deal Bemba, is to return to Gbadolite, headquarters of his Mouvement de liberation du Congo (MLC), and will be in control of areas such as Buta, Zongo, Imese, Bumba, Libenge, Lisala, Gemena and Banalya. Mbusa who declared him self in charge of areas from Isiro to Butembo is now recognised as head of the RCD-ML. Under the deal, he is to control large areas of eastern north Kivu province such as Bafwasende, Isiro, Butembo and Beni. He is also to be in charge of Bunia. Wamba who was also expected to attend this Kampala meeting did not show up. The RCD-ML whose leadership is contested between Wamba and Mbusa claim control of four provinces - Ituri, Haut-vele, Bas Vele and north Kivu. Its headquarters is in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. Under the merger, the FLC now controls five huge provinces, which include Equator, Ituri,Haut-vele, Bas Vele and north Kivu. The capital of Haut vele is Isiro, that of Bas Vele is Buta while that of North Kivu is Beni. Under the FLC Bemba had shifted base from Gbadolite to Beni but has been facing growing opposition from a section of the population. Residents claim that the FLC administration in the region had led to a decline in the social, economic and political situation in the area.