UN to send envoy to Congo

The prospects are that fighting now could escalate

The United Nations has appointed the former military leader of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as its special envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

General Abubakar will travel to the region to make clear to President Laurent Kabila that co-operation with the UN and its mission in Congo is essential.

Abubakar: Regional mission

The move comes as President Laurent Kabila has been calling for a review of the Lusaka peace agreement, which he signed last year to end the armed insurgency against his government.

The UN Security Council has expressed "grave concern" about the lack of progress on implementing the Lusaka accord.

On a visit to Angola on Friday Mr Kabila called for a review of the accord to take into account a United Nations resolution calling on Uganda and Rwanda - who support the rebels fighting against him - to withdraw their troops from the Congo.

UN demands

The UN is demanding freedom of movement for its personnel in DR Congo, and the "full participation" of all political factions in the country.

Mr Kabila has refused to enter into a dialogue with rebels, and recently said that UN peacekeepers could not enter areas under his control.

The UN mandate in DR Congo expires on 30 August, and Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked the Security Council to extend it for another month so that he can assess recent developments in the conflict.

General Abubakar will visit the area in the next few days to stress the UN's demands at meetings with regional leaders, including Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, who chaired this week's inconclusive summit on DR Congo, and the secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity, Salim Salim.

Expelled

Two diplomats from the United States are to be expelled from DR Congo.

State radio in Kinshasa said that two diplomats at the American embassy in Kinshasa, Denis Burgess and Roger Moran, were both suspected of activities incompatible with their status - a euphemism commonly used to mean spying.

The radio said the United States ambassador had been informed of the decision by the Congolese Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Yerodia.

Reports from Kinshasa say that they had been overheard expressing the opinion that it was time for President Kabila to go.

Investigations are underway following the dead of a British UN employee, who was found hanged in his hotel room.

Joseph Comerford was a member of a UN team sent to investigate damage caused by fighting in Kisangani.

UN special envoy Kemal Morjane refused to say whether it was a case of suicide or foul play. An investigation is now under way.