March 11, 2003
Parties to the Democratic Republic of Congo peace talks have agreed to the establishment of a neutral, international force to protect the proposed transitional government in that country, a UN envoy said on Tuesday. Moustapha Nicasse, the former President of Sierra Leone and a special representative of United Nations' secretary-general Koffi Annan, said the peace-keeping force would be integrated with DRC police units to protect interim institutions during the transition period.
"It (the force) will be authorised by the UN and have a complement of between 600 and 1000. Donor nations have agreed to fund the force," Nicasse said, speaking through an interpreter. Although the composition of the force had not yet been determined, member states of the UN who wished to contribute forces could to do so.
Nicasse was speaking at a ceremony in Gaborone at which President Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of the UN, handed over to Botswana's former president Sir Ketumile Masire three agreements laying out the transitional arrangements in the DRC. Masire is the facilitator of the peace talks between rebel groups and the DRC government known as the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue.
Mbeki is in Botswana on a three-day State Visit. Mbeki was not expected to officiate at the ceremony but Nicasse asked him to do so as co-chairman of the UN-South Africa DRC mediation committee and the head-of-state of the country which had hosted all the negotiations leading to the signing of the documents.
The handover was also attended by Botswana President Festus Mogae. "These documents are a road map which will take the DRC to democracy and peace," Mbeki said. "Whilst the world stands on the brink of war, out of Africa comes a message of peace." Mbeki and Nicasse both acknowledged Masire's role as facilitator of the talks.
Nicasse said the three agreements covered requirements for a period of transitional government, security during the transition and the final version of a draft interim constitution for the DRC. "All agreements have been signed by all parties to the negotiations without exception," Nicasse said. Masire said he would summon the various DRC factions for more talks within 14 days, and turning to Mbeki, said the Sun City resort in South Africa would be the preferred venue.
Chiefs of staff from the Democratic Republic of Congo's government and rebel groups met near Pretoria earlier this week to finalise military and security arrangements for the transition after more than four years of war in the DRC.
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