Blame games, fears of isolation at meeting to seek peace for DRC
M23 rebels withdraw through the hills from Karuba in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on November 30, 2012. Armed groups in eastern DRC want amnesty, the release of political prisoners, their participation in socio-economic activities and repatriation of insurgent refugees from neighbouring states before laying down arms. FILE PHOTO | AFP
The latest peace bid for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled eastern region appeared headed for a solid footing after 24 armed groups gathered in Nairobi to express their grievances, in a meeting endorsed by the UN and the African Union.
But the conference between the government of President Felix Tshisekedi and the rebel groups, brokered by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, was also an arena for blame games, amid feelings of isolation by some.
