Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- On January 23 at the end of negotiations, postponed several times, the warring parties in north and south Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed an agreement for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the creation within five days of a 'cushion zone' patrolled by UN peacekeepers in northern Kivu, the scene of most intense fighting in recent months.
The peace talks organised by the international community in Goma, the main city in Kivu, was a success, and the more so because the agreement was signed also by rebel general Laurent Nkunda, whose militia are responsible for much of the instability in the area.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Congo's president Joseph Kabila and several international community representatives. Nkunda was the first to sign, followed by Mai-Mai pro-government militia and about 20 other armed groups which operate in the region.
Congo's national media greeted the agreement as the “peace of the courageous” although it wondered about its application considering the many remaining obstacles, including the Congolese government's promise to prolong the amnesty for rebel leaders, first of all Nkunda. However the amnesty has to be approved by parliament and there could be resistance against not trying persons held responsible for serious crimes against civilians. President Kabila himself said “we have won a battle against sceptics, but we have not overcome all the difficulties, we now face the challenge of applying the agreement”.
The Goma agreement includes the integration of rebel troops into the regular army and the repatriation of foreign combatants, two measures foreseen by previous agreements but never fully accomplished. The fact that at the Conference all sides expressed a desire for a lasting peace could mean that there will be effective commitment from all involved, including the United States which elaborated a plan for the area (see Fides 3 and 5 December 2007).
The Goma Agreement was welcomed by the US administration. White House spokesperson Dana Perrino said “the United States welcomes the signing of the peace agreement to restore stability in eastern Congo and resolve the root causes of conflict. We appeal to all parties to ensure a rapid application of the agreement”. The US press gave ample space to the Goma agreement and to a US report on the situation of the people in eastern Congo. The report says that since 1998 5.4 million people have died because of the war and that 45,000 people continue to die in this region every month. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/1/2008 righe 38 parole 472)
