ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE/EDITION Nr 376 - 15/10/1999

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Congo-Brazzaville

Getting back to normal?


by Médard Libani, Congo-Brazza, September 1999

THEME = POLITICS

INTRODUCTION

The situation in Congo is getting back to normal
and exiles are gradually returning home

Since the end of the 1997 civil war, a solution is gradually being found to the murderous confrontations between the government forces supported by Angolan troops, and the Ninja rebels (the private militia of the former mayor of Brazzaville, Bernard Kolelas) plus the Cocoyes (militiamen of former president Pascal Lissouba).

On 15 August, President Denis Sassou Nguesso declared in his Message to the Nation on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of Congo's independence: "I have decided to grant an amnesty to all those who renounce violence and unconditionally accept to lay down their arms." This presidential decision, which the Congolese have long been awaiting, marks an important step forward towards the regularisation of the violent situation prevailing in Congo since 1993, 1997 and 1998. President Nguesso also invited Congo's citizens to strengthen the bonds uniting them, and to work together to bring about national unity - all the while respecting the ideals which brought the country to nationhood. This step forward acknowledges the underlying constituents of the current peace process: i.e. Strengthening security; defending the nation against terrorism; striving for a sincere dialogue (mutual comprehension, agreement, repentance and forgiveness). Hence, the door is open to those who want to forsake violence.

Towards genuine peace? - President Nguesso's decision to begin a dialogue with the Opposition in exile, was announced by Henri Lopes, Congo's ambassador in France. He stated that the Brazzaville government is ready for genuine dialogue: "We are ready for a serious exchange of points of view on any question presented to us. For example, what prevents some people from returning home? What guarantees can we give them? We are quite happy to sit down face-to-face to discuss and work out how we can satisfy everyone".

It's clear the time is now ripe to open negotiations. But these negotiations presuppose that all concerned are ready to renounce violence. Former president Pascal Lissouba, in exile in London, is very satisfied with this statement about the government being prepared to dialogue with the Opposition. He says he's been waiting a long time for such a move. "I say, "Three Cheers" for the opening of negotiations which I've been looking forward to for so long. We'll go into the negotiations but there must be no pre-conditions whatsoever".

Former prime minister Bernard Kolelas, presently in exile in Washington, is of the same opinion. "For us, the essential is, that we all agree to move forwards towards a peaceful solution rather than a military one. In any case, a military solution is no solution. But the meeting must be outside Congo-Brazzaville, because there's no guarantee for our safety in the capital".

Reactions from the politicians

The decision by the Congolese Head of State to grant amnesty to all armed citizens who accept to lay down their arms, is an important turning point towards peace and national unity. Benjamin Bounkoulon, president of the Union for the Republic (UR) says no one is the winner in time of war. "Indeed, I'm all for dialogue in order to avoid bitterness, tragedies, hatred, over- reactions, humiliations, all of which make for never-ending war. The ordinary citizen has to pick up the tab for war situations caused by the powers-that-be, so dialogue is to his/her advantage".

The Rally for Democracy and Social Progress (RDPS) is well-pleased with the way things are progressing. The party's Secretary- General, Jean Felix Demba Ntelo, puts it this way: "Our crushed and humiliated people have to carry the burden of the daily violence inflicted on them. So, obviously, they are only too pleased when a little light appears on the horizon".

Do we really have to wait until the toll of death and destruction mounts up to such an extent, that those responsible, are finally convinced that dialogue must take place? On 1 September, eight former leaders in Pascal Lissouba's regime, returned to Congo-Brazzaville from exile, with a peace plan in their pockets. They called for a mediating force to be sent into the country and for the transition period to be extended to five years instead of the original three planned by the forum held from 5 to 14 January 1998 in Brazzaville.

Extending the transition government's mandate was at the centre of the debate among members of the National Council of Transition (CNT) during it's 5th ordinary session, held from 2 July to 2 August. The CNT finally recommended that the mandate of the transition period of three years should remain unchanged. The eight exiles were, however, received by President Nguesso, to whom they handed over their plan for peace.

And the civil society? - The majority of Congolese are in favour of dialogue with the Opposition in exile, because this contributes to the process of nation re-building. The debate, however, should not simply be exclusively the affair of politicians; the people have a part to play. Popular opinion in Brazzaville goes something like this: ""Yes", to the return of the exiles, but there must be some accounting for past actions. The Opposition have to offer some explanation to the people and before the courts of justice, for their criminal acts committed during the civil war".

A discordant note, however, comes from former prime minister Yhonbi Opango, now in exile in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. According to him, the eight exiles who returned to Congo-Brazzaville, were "bought" by the authorities. By way of reply, as soon as the eight reached Brazzaville, they stressed that they hadn't received any help or any permission to return to Congo-Brazzaville. They'd done it off their own bat.

Even though a good number of people approve the reconciliation process, they remain on their guard and are holding themselves in check until the final results of the dialogue. Then they'll give a round of applause. The Congolese are war-weary and feel cheated by so many meetings which come to nothing, and so many shattered hopes. "Let the politicians who have been responsible for these repeated wars, give us back the peace and dignity they've taken away from us. Let the politicians end their cynicism, egoism and hypocrisy and dedicate themselves to the greater interests of the nation.

END

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