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The former Botswanan president, Sir Ketumile Masire, has left the Democratic Republic of Congo after being refused clearance to visit cities in the interior of the country.
Mr Masire is the designated facilitator in a planned dialogue between the Congolese Government and rebels and his departure is a blow for the fragile Congolese peace process.
In a statement issued after his departure on Thursday, Mr Masire, said that the Congolese Government's refusal to allow him to travel to the cities in question was a clear attempt to frustrate his efforts to bring peace.
 Kabila: Suggested visits to the interior
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Mr Masire, who said that Congolese President, Laurent Kabila, had himself suggested he visit areas outside of Kinshasa during his first visit to the Congolese capital in February, appealed to the government to assist him sooner rather than later in fulfilling his mandate.
Meanwhile, the Congolese Foreign Minister, Yerodia Ndombasi, defended the government's actions on Wednesday, saying that Mr Masire belatedly informed the government of his visit and his intentions to travel to the interior.
Although Mr Masire's mandate grants him complete freedom of movement throughout government and rebel-controlled areas, Mr Yerodia said that it was inadmissable that Mr Masire should determine his itinerary without consulting the government.
It is not yet known when Mr Masire, who this week set up an office in Kinshasa, intends to return to the Congo.
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