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UN envoy to mediate in DR Congo UN envoy to meet DR Congo rebels
(about 4 hours later)
UN special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Nigerian president, is in the Democratic Republic of Congo for talks aimed at ending months of violence. UN special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo says he will meet rebel chief Laurent Nkunda in the Democratic Republic of Congo for talks aimed at ending growing violence.
Having met President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa, Mr Obasanjo is heading east to see rebel leader Laurent Nkunda. He has already spoken to him by phone. Mr Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria, arrived in eastern DR Congo for the talks a day after meeting President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa.
Meanwhile the first UN aid delivery has reached areas hit by fighting between rebels and Congolese government troops. He said Mr Kabila had not laid down conditions for speaking to the rebels.
An estimated 250,000 people have been made homeless by the violence. An estimated 250,000 people have been made homeless by the fighting between rebels and Congolese government troops.
Mr Obasanjo's visit follows Friday's announcement that Rwanda and DR Congo have agreed to work together to deal with forces along their common border blamed for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. name="text"> class="bodl" href="#infographic">See detailed map of the area BBC world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle, in Goma, says Mr Obasanjo's visit has raised expectations.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Obasanjo confirmed that he would meet Mr Nkunda during a visit to the eastern North-Kivu region. But, in reality, our correspondent says, the problems of DR Congo are so profound that this initiative may be the start of a long process rather than bringing any immediate results.
"I go to Goma [North Kivu's provincial capital], and from Goma, we will be seeing Nkunda. He was kind enough to ring me three days ago and speak to me while I was in Nigeria," the envoy said. Mr Obasanjo's visit follows Friday's announcement that Rwanda and DR Congo had agreed to work together to deal with forces along their common border blamed for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. name="text"> class="bodl" href="#infographic">See detailed map of the area
Speaking to reporters in Kinshasa on Saturday, Mr Obasanjo confirmed that he would meet Gen Nkunda during a visit to the eastern North-Kivu region and its provincial capital, Goma.
"[Gen Nkunda] was kind enough to ring me three days ago and speak to me while I was in Nigeria," the envoy said.
"He explained that he is full of expectations for us to meet and talk face-to-face.""He explained that he is full of expectations for us to meet and talk face-to-face."
Some 250,000 people have fled the fighting since AugustThe Associated Press quoted Gen Nkunda's spokesman as saying the meeting was likely to take place on Sunday in the rebel-held town of Rutshuru, north of Goma, or Bunagana, on the Uganda border. Some 250,000 people have fled the fighting since AugustGen Nkunda's spokesman was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the meeting was likely to take place on Sunday in the rebel-held town of Rutshuru, north of Goma, or Bunagana, on the Uganda border.
No details of Mr Obasanjo's discussions with Mr Kabila have yet been given.
Earlier, Mr Obasanjo said he was hopeful his mission could achieve peace, but that it would not be easy.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attacks by Rwandan FDLR Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after the genocide.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attacks by Rwandan FDLR Hutu rebels who fled to DR Congo after the genocide.
Some 250,000 people have fled violence that began in August between Gen Nkunda's fighters and government forces. Mr Obasanjo said he had had a 90-minute meeting with Mr Kabila in Kinshasa on Friday evening.
The United Nations says it has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Asked if the president was ready to talk to Gen Nkunda, he said "he did not give anything that I would call conditions, but we are at the exploratory stage now".
On Friday, for the first time after weeks of fighting, UN aid workers delivered maize and lentils to the first of at least 50,000 hungry civilians in Rutshuru territory, about 40 miles (70km) north of Goma. Mr Obasanjo also met members of DR Congo's parliament and ambassadors representing UN Security Council members in Kinshasa on Saturday.
The United Nations says the conflict that began in August between Gen Nkunda's fighters and government forces has caused a humanitarian catastrophe.
On Friday, for the first time after weeks of fighting, UN aid workers delivered maize and lentils to the first of at least 50,000 hungry civilians in Rutshuru territory, about 70km (40 miles) north of Goma.
"I can't remember how many days my family hasn't eaten - I think about four or five days," said teacher Djuma Kabere."I can't remember how many days my family hasn't eaten - I think about four or five days," said teacher Djuma Kabere.
"These are very small quantities. How can families survive? It's more important to bring peace instead of food.""These are very small quantities. How can families survive? It's more important to bring peace instead of food."
Destabilising factorDestabilising factor
Also on Friday, Rwanda and DR Congo agreed to co-operate in dealing with forces along their common border.Also on Friday, Rwanda and DR Congo agreed to co-operate in dealing with forces along their common border.
Foreign ministers from both countries said Rwandan intelligence teams would go into DR Congo to work with the Congolese army and the international community to help end the presence there of Hutu fighters, cited by Gen Nkunda as the justification for his rebellion.Foreign ministers from both countries said Rwandan intelligence teams would go into DR Congo to work with the Congolese army and the international community to help end the presence there of Hutu fighters, cited by Gen Nkunda as the justification for his rebellion.
The Hutu fighters - known as the Interahamwe - have lived in eastern DR Congo since 1994 and have been a key factor in destabilising the region.The Hutu fighters - known as the Interahamwe - have lived in eastern DR Congo since 1994 and have been a key factor in destabilising the region.
The Congolese government has often promised to stop Hutu forces using its territory, but has not done so.The Congolese government has often promised to stop Hutu forces using its territory, but has not done so.
Its forces have been accused of instead working with the FDLR to exploit the region's rich mines.Its forces have been accused of instead working with the FDLR to exploit the region's rich mines.
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