Rwanda and Congo 'commit to peace'

A Congolese patrols the skies over Kinshasa

By Chris Simpson in eastern Congo

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has held a surprise meeting with Congolese President Laurent Kabila, with both leaders promising a new commitment to peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The meeting was held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, with Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi reportedly acting as mediator between the two heads of state, who until recently have been considered enemies.

Laurent Kabila has denounced the Rwandan president in the past

Rwanda has been the most prominent supporter of the rebellion against Mr Kabila inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing him of supporting Rwandan militia groups and threatening Rwandan security.

President Kabila has accused the Rwandans of invading Congo and has frequently denounced President Kagame as an aggressor with expansionist ambitions.

The meeting between Laurent Kabila and Paul Kagame in Kenya was the first in over two years.

Kabila backer

Rwanda was Laurent Kabila's main backer when he ousted President Mobutu in May 1997.

But it turned against him complaining that he was an unreliable ally who had reneged on his commitments.

Despite both governments' commitment to a cease-fire, relations have remained poor with a constant barrage of hostile propaganda from the two capitals.

But now the talk is of working together for peace, with the Kenyan president apparently brokering a new, unexpected deal.

President Kagame is worried about relations with Uganda

Rwanda says it is looking to Laurent Kabila to break his alliance with the Rwandan militia groups still operating inside Congolese territory.

President Kabila has made it clear in the past there will only be peace in Congo if Rwanda takes its troops across the border.

The meeting could mark a remarkable turnaround in regional relations.

One of Rwanda's main concerns at the moment is its deteriorating relationship with Uganda.

That longstanding alliance has been severely strained over the past year, not least in DR Congo where shared hostility towards President Kabila has not prevented a sharp decline in relations between President Kagame and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.