Congo Faction Leaders Begin Talks on Peace

Congo’s political leaders opened talks Monday meant to establish a transitional government and end three years of war, drawing President Joseph Kabila together with his main rebel rivals for the first time.

Botswana President Festus Mogae, whose southern African country is playing host to the talks, told the Congolese to look at the negotiations as a last hope.

“Peace in your country will not only give hope to the 50 million Congolese, but it will also give peace and stability to all the region,” Mogae said.

The talks mark the only time since Congo’s war started in August 1998 that the government has met with rebels as well as leaders of the unarmed opposition, left out of most discussions on Congo’s future until now.

Eugenie Comdon, delegate of a Rwandan-backed rebel group in the war, cried as she embraced another opposition leader.

“I am overwhelmed by joy but also by pain--because the country is not one, and there is a lot to do,” Comdon said.

Congo’s war has drawn in the armies of five other African nations and divided the country. Estimates place the death toll in the conflict at about 2.5 million, mostly civilians who succumbed to disease and hunger worsened by the conflict.

Rebel groups backed by Rwanda and Uganda control the north and east, while the government controls the west with military aid from Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Although this week’s round of talks is meant as preparation for future negotiating sessions, it brought together many of the key players.

In a closed-door session on the sidelines Monday, Kabila met with two of his main rivals--Ugandan-backed rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba and Rwandan-backed rebel chief Adolphe Onusumba.

The weeklong session is aimed at the establishment of a place, date and agenda for the national dialogue, which would lead to a national government of transition and eventually elections.