PHILIPE BERNS-LASSERRE, Johannesburg | Monday 4.30pm.
PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki on Monday said he hoped that the main rebel movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese Rally for Democracy, would sign a ceasefire this week.
He was speaking after talks in Pretoria on Monday with the leader of a second rebel movement, the Congo Liberation Movement, who on Sunday signed the ceasefire agreed in Lusaka last month.
“We don’t expect there’ll be new fighting on their front which is in the north and the northwest,” Mbeki told reporters after his talks with MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.
“And they will most certainly get their people ready to participate in the process.”
Bemba arrived in South Africa on Sunday after signing the Lusaka peace accord, aimed at ending the 11-month war in the DR Congo.
Mbeki said the smaller rebel movement had come to Pretoria “to indicate their own fears about the process. We have agreed with them no more shooting. They have committed hemselves to speedily implement the agreement.”
Mbeki said progress had been made in getting the main rebel movement — hamstrung by a leadership struggle — to sign the ceasefire document. Mbeki said he had discussions on Sunday with President Frederick Chiluba of Zambia, appointed by southern African states earlier this year to mediate in the conflict.
“He is sending somebody today or tomorrow (Monday or Tuesday) to do the verification process with the rebels, as a result of which they (the rebels) will decide who signs for them.” –AFP