Angelo Izama
26 October 2007
Washington — WASHINGTON is mooting the idea of exile for Laurent Nkunda, the renegade Congolese general whose forces are fighting government troops in Eastern DR Congo, according to Jendayi Frazer, the United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs.
Testifying before the U.S Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on America's role in "Consolidating Peace and Democracy in the Great Lakes Region" on Wednesday, Frazer said the US government was emphasising robust diplomacy to deal with the crisis.
Thousands are fleeing their homes into Kisoro District following clashes between forces loyal to Nkunda and the Congolese national army.
The mention of exile as an option for Nkunda [possibly in South Africa] has serious implications for negotiations to end the 20-year northern Uganda conflict.
It has been suggested, among others by the International Crisis Group, that third country exile may become necessary for a successful conclusion of the Juba peace process with the leaders of the Lords Resistance Army who have said they will not surrender until warrants for their arrest by the International Criminal Court are dropped.
Both Nkunda and LRA leaders are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ms Frazer's comments may signal the readiness of the US Bureau of African Affairs to innovatively tackle some of the complex realities of making peace in the Great Lakes.
A package of strategies which prioritise diplomacy and development but reserve the right to use force where necessary has been thrown at both LRA and Nkunda.
Responding to a question on how the US was handling the situation in Kivu, Ms Frazer said she was expanding US diplomatic efforts on the ground, dispatching her senior adviser on conflict resolution- Timothy Shortley to Kinshasa and Goma to help with a negotiated solution. Mr Shortley is also tasked to attend the Juba talks in person when they resume next month.
President Joseph Kabila of DRC arrives today in Washington to meet President George Bush. He will be followed closely by President Museveni.
According to the programme, Mr Museveni and Mr Kabila will separately discuss regional peace issues.
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