UN-backed talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and a main rebel group, aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the strife-ridden country's brutal armed conflict, have adjourned and will resume early next year.
A statement from Olusegun Obasanjo, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy and former Nigerian president and Benjamin Mkapa, the former Tanzanian leader, who are facilitating the discussions, said the parties adopted a framework for substantive dialogue attempting to end the conflict that has been plaguing the eastern part of the vast DR Congo.
The mediators said since the talks opened in Nairobi early this month, the parties have deliberated on three procedural documents that would guide the forthcoming substantive talks.
"Of these, two documents were adopted yesterday (Saturday) while a third document was temporarily withdrawn, to be re-submitted at an appropriate time," Obasanjo said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
He said the withdrawn document does not affect the continuation of the dialogue, as it only reflects the guiding principles for the mediators during the negotiations.
The UN envoy said the main rebel group National Congress in Defense of the People (CNDP) has continued to insist that this document should include their demand that the presidents of the Congolese National Assembly and Senate, as well as representatives of the presidential majority and opposition in the Parliament, be directly associated with the Dialogue as Facilitators.
According to Obasanjo, the government position remains that the mediators should be allowed to call upon any extra assistance, including members of the legislative institutions, as they deem fit, and following consultations with the parties.
"These two positions have proven irreconcilable for the present. A temporary withdrawal of the document was canvassed with the intention that it would be re-submitted in the future without unduly holding up the progress of the Dialogue," Obasanjo said.
He said the rebels did not consider the Cessation of Hostilities document, and instead made allegations that the territorial positions from which they had voluntarily withdrawn following their unilateral ceasefire on Dec. 6 had now been occupied by the Congolese Armed Forces, the FARDC.
"The mediators caused these allegations to be investigated through three independent sources. It has been reported back to the mediators that these allegations are without foundation," the statement said.
It also said the CNDP also refused to sign a joint declaration of Cessation of Hostilities with the government.
"Furthermore, the CNDP has declined to recommit itself to its own existing unilateral ceasefire declaration. The representative of the government signed their re-affirmation, which was witnessed by the mediators," it said.
According to the statement, only the government delegation has confirmed their continued commitment to the dialogue process throwing the talks which will resume on Jan. 7 into confusion.
The escalating conflict between government forces (FARDC) and the rebel CNDP has uprooted an estimated 250,000 people since late August, mainly in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.
Other armed groups, including the Mai Mai, have been involved in the deadly violence, triggering a humanitarian crisis that could spiral out of control.
Source:Xinhua
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