African leaders sign deal aimed at peace in eastern DR Congo

(Reuters) – Eleven African leaders signed a peace deal yesterday aimed at ending two decades of conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and paving the way for the deployment of a new military brigade to take on rebel groups.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who witnessed the signing in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, said he hoped the accord would bring “an era of peace and stability” for Congo and by extension Africa’s Great Lakes, and added that he would soon name a special envoy for the region.

The Great Lakes area, where colonial era borders cut at random through ethnic groups has in the last 20 years been a crucible of conflict that has launched multiple uprisings and invasions.

“It is only the beginning of a comprehensive approach that will require sustained engagement,” Ban said of the accord, which did not include any representatives of rebel groups.

Speaking after the signing, Ugandan Vice President Edward Sekandi said the deal could speed up the deployment of a new, UN-flagged intervention force to take on the rebels. “We should be able to fast-track the ongoing consultation so that the force with a robust mandate and capability is put in place,” he said.

The leaders failed to sign the deal last month after a disagreement over who would command the force. A fresh rebellion launched in May 2012 by the M23 group has brought more fighting and displacement to eastern Congo.

Separate talks between Congo’s government and the rebels are aimed at reaching an agreement on a range of economic, political and security issues, including amnesty for “war and insurgency acts”, the release of political prisoners and reparation of damages due to the war.

The rebels have broadened their goals to include the removal of Kabila and “liberation” of the entire Congo. Bertrand Bisimwa, M23’s spokesman said he had not read the full details of the Addis Ababa deal, but hoped it would not reignite fighting between them and government troops.