Annan visits rebel-held Kisangani

Meanwhile, Annan arrived in rebel-controlled Kisangani on Monday where he met with leaders of the Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) rebel movement that controls the city, as well as other political party officials and civil society representatives. According to rebel-controlled RTNC radio in Goma, Annan’s meeting with RCD leaders lasted about one hour, focusing on the DRC peace process; a message from DRC President Joseph Kabila to RCD-Goma Chairman Adolphe Onusumba Yemba; and the much-anticipated demilitarisation of Kisangani as demanded in repeated UN Security Council appeals.

The rebels have previously replied to the Security Council appeal, saying they would be willing to withdraw their forces to points outside the city but insist on retaining control over the city’s strategic port on the Congo river and its two airports, AP reported Monday. A correspondent for Radio France Internationale, meanwhile, reported on Monday that “all along the way to the UN Observer Mission in Congo [MONUC] camps, we could see local inhabitants chanting ‘Rwandans back to Rwanda.’”