This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7756576.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UN envoy meets Congo rebel leader Congo rebel chief threatens 'war'
(about 7 hours later)
A UN envoy has met DR Congo's main rebel leader, in a fresh round of talks aimed at ending months of conflict. Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda has threatened war unless the government of DR Congo holds a new round of talks.
Olusegun Obasanjo met General Laurent Nkunda in the town of Jomba, in the violence-hit east of the country. He was speaking after a meeting with UN envoy Olusegun Obasanjo in the rebel-held eastern town of Jomba.
Troops loyal to Gen Nkunda have been battling government forces in North Kivu province since August, forcing 250,000 people to flee their homes.Troops loyal to Gen Nkunda have been battling government forces in North Kivu province since August, forcing 250,000 people to flee their homes.
Two weeks ago Mr Obasanjo negotiated a ceasefire, but renewed fighting has since broken out.Two weeks ago Mr Obasanjo negotiated a ceasefire, but renewed fighting has since broken out.
"If there is no negotiation, let us say then there is war," Gen Nkunda told reporters.
"I know that (the government) has no capacity to fight, so they have only one choice - negotiations," he said.
"We asked for a response as to where, when, and with whom we are going to do these talks. For us, we propose Nairobi and for the mediator we proposed chief Obasanjo," Mr Nkunda said.
Government ministers this week rebuffed the possibility of direct negotiations with the rebel leader, calling for him to return to an earlier peace pact signed in January.
Detailed map of the area
Advancing peace
Emerging from his one-hour meeting, Mr Obasanjo avoided questions but said: "We have advanced the course of peace."
Mr Obasanjo - Nigeria's former president - is on his second visit to the region in two weeks.
FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts DR Congo: Key facts He has been trying to broker direct talks between Gen Nkunda and Congolese President Joseph Kabila, but so far these have not taken place.
The UN envoy is travelling with former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who is representing the African Union.
"I'm going to listen to him," Mr Mkapa said ahead of the meeting with Gen Nkunda.
"I want to know how he thinks we can get the restoration of peace, stability and unity in this country."
Truce violated
A ceasefire declared by Gen Nkunda has halted battles with government troops and brought nearly two weeks of relative calm.
But his men have continued attacking Congolese and Rwandan militia allies of the government, sending thousands of refugees fleeing east into Uganda.
Gen Nkunda says the ceasefire does not apply to operations against foreign militia.
On Thursday, the rebels took the border town of Ishasha, about 120km (75 miles) north of regional capital Goma.On Thursday, the rebels took the border town of Ishasha, about 120km (75 miles) north of regional capital Goma.
Gen Nkunda says the ceasefire does not apply to operations against foreign militia. See detailed map of the area
His Tutsi-dominated forces say they are attacking Rwandan Hutu fighters, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.His Tutsi-dominated forces say they are attacking Rwandan Hutu fighters, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.
Refugees moved
Mr Obasanjo is making his second visit to the region in two weeks.
He has been trying to broker direct talks between Gen Nkunda and Congolese President Joseph Kabila, but so far these have not taken place. FORCES AROUND GOMA CNDP: Gen Nkunda's Tutsi rebels - 6,000 fightersFDLR: Rwandan Hutus - 6-7,000Mai Mai: pro-government militia - 3,500Monuc: UN peacekeepers - 6,000 in North Kivu, including about 1,000 in Goma (17,000 nationwide)DRC army - 90,000 (nationwide) Source: UN, military experts DR Congo: Key facts
Asked what he was seeking from his meeting with Gen Nkunda, Mr Obasanjo said: "I want peace from him, whatever that entails."
On Friday the UN envoy - Nigeria's former president - held talks with Mr Kabila in Kinshasa. He will also hold talks with representatives of other armed groups, reports say.
He is travelling with former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who is representing the African Union.
"I'm going to listen to him," Mr Mkapa said ahead of the meeting with Gen Nkunda. "I want to know how he thinks we can get the restoration of peace, stability and unity in this country."
On Friday, the UN began an operation to relocate people from camps near the front line.On Friday, the UN began an operation to relocate people from camps near the front line.
Some 65,000 people displaced by fighting have been living only a few hundred metres from fighting positions in Kibati, near Goma.Some 65,000 people displaced by fighting have been living only a few hundred metres from fighting positions in Kibati, near Goma.
The UN is trying to transfer people to safer locations west of Goma.The UN is trying to transfer people to safer locations west of Goma.
Return to top Return to story