RCD-Goma to follow Rwanda’s disengagement plan

The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) has announced it is prepared to follow Rwanda’s disengagement initiative and pull back 200 km on all fronts if UN troops are deployed in the vacated areas. In a statement, received by IRIN on Thursday, RCD spokesman Kin-Kiey Mulumba named the fronts as Dekese in Kasai, Ikela in Equateur province, and Moba in Katanga. The RCD also agreed to comply with the demilitarisation of Kisangani as provided for in UN resolution 1304. The movement had previously stated it would not withdraw from the city, after it moved in following the June fighting between Rwandan and Ugandan troops.

RCD foreign affairs chief Adolphe Onosumba told IRIN the move was a sign of goodwill on the part of the RCD, and demonstrated its compliance with the Lusaka accord. However, the RCD statement expressed concern that the current mandate of the UN mission (MONUC) did not allow it to defend Kisangani, should it come under attack by DRC government troops. “The RCD could never permit the loss of its territory to the Kabila regime, the negative forces or enemy movements,” the statement warned. It would therefore maintain a minimal military presence in Kisangani.