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| Sarkozy visits Congolese leader | Sarkozy visits Congolese leader |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss ways of securing peace in the troubled east of the country. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss ways of securing peace in the troubled east of the country. |
| Mr Sarkozy, who is joined by French ministers and businessmen, will hold talks with President Joseph Kabila. | Mr Sarkozy, who is joined by French ministers and businessmen, will hold talks with President Joseph Kabila. |
| The delegation hopes to agree contracts in various sectors, including mining, telecommunications and infrastructure. | The delegation hopes to agree contracts in various sectors, including mining, telecommunications and infrastructure. |
| During his two-day African tour, Mr Sarkozy will also visit the Republic of Congo and Niger, ex-French colonies. | During his two-day African tour, Mr Sarkozy will also visit the Republic of Congo and Niger, ex-French colonies. |
| It is the first visit by a French president to DR Congo, a former Belgian colony, for 25 years. | It is the first visit by a French president to DR Congo, a former Belgian colony, for 25 years. |
| President Sarkozy is due to address both houses of the parliament in Kinshasa. | President Sarkozy is due to address both houses of the parliament in Kinshasa. |
| Sarkozy's Africa policy shift | |
| Preparations for the visit have been overshadowed by comments Mr Sarkozy made in January when he suggested DR Congo share its mineral wealth with neighbouring Rwanda as a way to end violence around the main eastern city of Goma. | Preparations for the visit have been overshadowed by comments Mr Sarkozy made in January when he suggested DR Congo share its mineral wealth with neighbouring Rwanda as a way to end violence around the main eastern city of Goma. |
| Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years and its government is distrusted by many Congolese. | Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years and its government is distrusted by many Congolese. |
| Mr Sarkozy is expected to propose using eastern DR Congo's mineral wealth to help bring development and stability. | Mr Sarkozy is expected to propose using eastern DR Congo's mineral wealth to help bring development and stability. |
| The BBC's Thomas Fessy in Kinshasa says both MPs and the Congolese people are hoping the French leader will make it clear that his plan respects the sovereignty of DR Congo over its resources. | The BBC's Thomas Fessy in Kinshasa says both MPs and the Congolese people are hoping the French leader will make it clear that his plan respects the sovereignty of DR Congo over its resources. |
| The Kivus region of eastern DR Congo was convulsed by fighting late last year as renegade General Laurent Nkunda fought government forces. | The Kivus region of eastern DR Congo was convulsed by fighting late last year as renegade General Laurent Nkunda fought government forces. |
| Gen Nkunda was arrested by Rwandan forces in January during a joint operation with Congolese forces. | Gen Nkunda was arrested by Rwandan forces in January during a joint operation with Congolese forces. |
| Are you in the region? What do you think of Sarkozy's intervention? Can he make a difference? You can send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in the region? What do you think of Sarkozy's intervention? Can he make a difference? You can send us your comments using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |