Memo
to all Congolese stakeholders
UN
MILLENIUM SUMMIT: WAY FORWARD FOR CONGO CONFLICT by
Bantu Holomisa, MP - UDM President (08 September 2000)
Any way forward with a reasonable chance of success must take into account the fears of the various groups and individuals who have played some role in the Congo saga since the days of Mobuto Sese Seko.
It will be recalled that the initial conflict involved the erstwhile government of the former President Mobuto and the present incumbent Kabila and his former promoters and backers, Uganda and Rwanda. The defenders of the old order in the former Zaire have understandable insecurities and a desire to see a government that would guarantee their safety and security come to power.
Naturally they would like to be a party to the process that would realise that objective. The combatants in the present conflict, on either side, would like to see coming to power a government they could trust to protect their interests. The Kabila Administration is unlikely to accept a solution that does not safeguard the future security of its key players. Neither will the rebel leaders agree to a solution that threatens their security. There is a whole complex network of relationships spanning many decades which have created a variety of concerns and interests that would need to be addressed by a future lasting peace settlement and the establishment of a nationally acceptable government in the Congo.
To achieve this, there need to be a national Indaba involving all the parties and personalities representing all these concerned interest groups among the Congolese. These include those involved in the current war as well as those not involved but concerned about the future of their country. These may be inside as well as outside the country.
Such a conference would take place at a neutral venue that would accommodate all these groups and create a favorable climate that would unlock the current log-jam and identify common areas of agreement that could lead the country out of the crisis to a situation where there will be no losers or winners, but underlying the paramountacy of interests of the suffering Congolese people on the ground.
The United Nations (UN) would be an ideal sponsor and co-ordinator of such a conference. It has the stature and capacity to ensure neutrality and leveling of the playing field to guarantee the maximum benefits of the Congolese people. The UDM believes that the thrust of the conference is to bring the Congolese people together for the purpose of solving their own problems.
The Conference of all Congolese will be competent to draw up a programme of action with which to chart the way forward. This could be the beginning of a process which would phase out foreign adventurers who are now fighting among themselves over DRC spoils. The UDM notes with regret the ambivalence and pussy-footing of the UN Security Council in dealing with foreign aggressors in the DRC. A timely and effective response would have nipped the conflict in the bud.
Bantu Holomisa, MP
President: United Democratic Movement
Cc: UN Secretary General
Secretariat SADC
All Embassies in South Africa
