December 2000

Defence chiefs from six African countries sign an agreement to withdraw their troops to allow deployment of UN observers. But there are continuing clashes between rival groups in the north east of the country, and further talks held in Gabon break down after rebel groups fail to attend.

August 2000

Leaders of the countries involved in the Congolese civil war - Rwanda, Uganda, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe - meet President Kabila in Lusaka to assess implementation of the previous year's peace agreement. The talks end in failure.

June 2000

Tensions between old allies Rwanda and Uganda - who back different factions in Kisangani - erupt into the worst fighting yet seen in the Congolese city. The adversaries later agree to leave the city in a UN-brokered deal.

February 2000

Brutal ethnic fighting erupts between communities in the rebel-held east. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council authorises a 5,500-strong UN force - including 5,000 soldiers - to monitor the ceasefire.

December 1999

With heavy fighting taking place in the north, US envoy Richard Holbrooke visits the region attempting to get peace back on track.

October, September 1999

Amid allegations of ceasefire violations, rebel groups turn down an invitation from President Laurent Kabila to take part in a national dialogue on reconciliation.

August 1999

After a year of thwarted attempts to end the civil war, a major step towards peace is taken as the last rebel group signs up for a ceasefire agreement.

Troops from Uganda and Rwanda backing rival rebel factions clash fiercely in the city of Kisangani, prompting frantic diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.

July 1999

Journalists visit Gbadolite, the town hosting the opulent former palace of the late President Mobutu, and one of the most recent places to fall to rebels in the north.

A ceasefire is agreed and signed in Lusaka by all sides in the conflict except one of the two main rebel groups, who are locked in a factional dispute and pledge to carry on fighting.

June 1999

Momentum grows towards finding a peaceful settlement to the conflict, despite the capture by rebels of President Kabila's home town.

May 1999

Rebel divisions emerge as the Rwandan-backed RCD rebel group in Goma ousts leader Wamba dia Wamba.

April 1999

An agreement brokered by Colonel Gaddafi is reached in Libya to help end the fighting, but is immediately criticised.

Zimbabwe denies 80 of its soldiers are killed by rebels in fierce fighting in the east, as government forces and their backers seek to halt a rebel advance towards the key diamond-rich town of Mbuji-Mayi. In Kinshasa, Britain becomes embroiled in a spying row after the expulsion of five officials.

February 1999

Rebels say they have launched a major new offensive on three fronts in the north and the southeast as refugees flee the fighting.

January 1999

There are reports of several massacres, including one of up to 500 civilians over the New Year, as Zimbabwe admits receiving support from other countries in the region.

December 1998

Efforts to halt Africa's "first world war" make little progress at the OAU as rebels accuse Angolan and Zimbabwean troops of launching a counter-offensive in the northwest.

November 1998

Rwanda acknowledges its forces are fighting on the side of rebels for the first time, as the Ugandan backed MLC make advances in the north.

October 1998

Rebels capture the government stronghold of Kindu in the east as more peace talks break down, this time in Lusaka.

September 1998

The capital, Kinshasa, comes close to running out of food, while rebels face defeat in the west and thousands of the rebels who narrowly failed to reach Kinshasa are captured. Despite this rebels in the east are in determined mood.

August 1998

Rebel forces, backed by Rwandan and Ugandan forces make dramatic advances across the country advancing to the gates of the capital, and causing the evacuation of foreigners and diplomats. The intervention of troops from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola turns the tide and the rebels are pushed back.