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![]() Tuesday, August 31, 1999 Published at 22:36 GMT 23:36 UK ![]() ![]() World: Africa ![]() Congo rebels finally sign truce ![]() Time to celebrate? Civilians are waiting for peace ![]() The leaders of rival rebel factions from the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a ceasefire agreement which aims to end the year-long civil war.
The RCD was up until now the only combatant that had not agreed to endorse the ceasefire which was signed by six countries involved in the conflict during July. Thousands of people have become refugees and an unknown number have died in the war. Over the past weeks, fighting continued in Congo, as the rebels refused to sign the accord.
Emile Ilunga, whose faction is backed by Rwanda, and Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, who is supported by Uganda, both claimed they were in charge. Compromise
In the end a compromise was brokered by Zambian and South African officials under which the ceasefire agreement was signed by all 50 founding members of the RCD. The ceremony was attended by the foreign ministers of the 14 countries of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) as well as representatives of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
(Click here to see a map of areas captured by the rebels)
The ceasefire means that "political dialogue" is now due to begin between all the rebel groups taking part in the war against President Laurent Kabila.
On Monday a UN spokesman said the UN expected to deploy its first 17 military liaison officers in and around the capitals of the region by the end of the week. A total of 90 officers will be deployed to Congo for three months in order to prepare the UN's involvement in the implementation of the ceasefire accord. UN officials estimate that the peacekeeping operation in Congo will require at least 25,000 soldiers.
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