ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

After the departure of the 2,500 Angolan soldiers, Congo is still a hot-bed of tension in its Pool region

Congo-Brazza and Angola are linked by a military co-operation agreement signed towards the end of the 1990s. It covers such areas as logistical and manpower support, also, military training.

Historical background

From the time of Marien Ngouabi (Congo) and Agostino Neto (Angola), onwards, the two countries have had good political and military relationships. Congo supported Angola in its struggle for independence which was achieved in 1975.

Angolan soldiers arrived in Congo-Brazza during the June-October 1997 war, when former President Pascal Lissouba was fighting Denis Sassou Nguesso’s Cobra rebels. The Angolans sided with the Cobras in September 1997, i.e. one month before the October 1997 general offensive. This offensive resulted in Lissouba’s forces being defeated, thus ending the fratricidal war during which more than 20,000 people had died.

The Angolan government justified their intervention because Lissouba was supporting Jonas Savimbi, leader of the National Union for the Independence of Angola (UNITA). Operating out of Angola’s Cabinda enclave, UNITA used Congo-Brazza as a convenient behind-the-lines base for re-routing its raw materials, mainly diamonds, and for selling military equipment to Lissouba’s forces. Angola’s military intervention was decisive, making it possible to get rid of Lissouba’s Cocoye militia, and the former mayor of Brazzaville, Bernard Kolélas’, Ninja militia.

After 1997, the Angolan contingent was stationed mainly south of Brazzaville towards Pointe-Noire in order to help Sassou Nguesso consolidate his power. In December 1998, the Angolans intervened in the southern areas of Brazzaville to stop the pillaging by Cobra militia. The war ended in December 1999 with the signing of the cease-fire agreement between the rebels and Congo’s armed forces.

Military impact

Since Jonas Savimbi’s death, Angola is working towards national reconciliation. Once UNITA‘s rebellion was over, there was no longer any justification for the presence of Angolan soldiers in neighbouring countries. The Angolan forces left Congo RCD in September 2002, and Congo-Brazza on 15 December.

These departures seemed to indicate that hostilities were at an end. But such was not the case. In fact, President Nguesso is still faced with a hot-bed of tension created by Pasteur Fréderic Bitsangou’s (i.e. «Ntumi») and his Ninja militia’s rebellion in the Pool region and in some districts of Brazzaville. Just a few days after the Angolan soldiers had left, Ninjas attacked three localities, a hundred kilometres from Brazzaville. They killed more than thirty people, plundered and destroyed houses. The population fled. Thus began a new episode in the war raging throughout the entire Pool region.

On 10 January 2003, Ntumi sent a message to the Agence France- Presse. He called for a «true all-embracing National Dialogue». He said that the March 2001 National Dialogue had been discriminating. He continued: «Keeping in mind what’s happening in our country, I call upon the international community so that it can ensure security for all, and so that an inclusive National Dialogue can be held as soon as possible». If not, you’ll soon see the Ninja militia on the streets of Congo-Brazza’s main towns and cities.

But the government is adamant in its refusal. A government spokesman, Alain Akouala, puts it this way: «We’re the ones who are first concerned in this whole business and we’re not easily deceived. We know very well what’s happening in the Pool region with all the extortions and acts of terror committed by Ntumi and his henchmen. Political dialogue leading to national reconciliation is still the watchword and is the authorities’ constant concern, from President Denis Sassou Nguesso, downwards».  

The armed forces’ High Command urges the population to be vigilant; to work closely with the police so as to end the activities of those gangsters in Ntumi’s pay. But the statements put out by the various sides involved in the conflict are far from reassuring for Congo’s people.

Political impact

Congo-watchers say the Angolan’s departure means a new era has opened. Some say a frank dialogue with Congolese living in exile will now be possible. Others on the other hand, are convinced that the Angolans’ departure will not do anything to sort out matters on a political level.

The Angolans’ departure should have been a step towards bringing peace to Congo. But now, is everything lost? It’s perhaps too early to say so. A number of politicians and civil society leaders have taken some initiatives for a return to a normal way of life in the country. A thirty-member parliamentary committee for bringing peace to the Pool region has been established. The committee’s main aim is to look for ways and means of finding a way out of the present crisis.

Committee members want to meet Ntumi so that he can be made to listen to reason. Parliament’s Speaker, Jean-Pierre Tchicaya, is clear: «There must be peace in the Pool, and that region must once again become part of the Congolese nation». However, not all Members of Parliament are fully in agreement with such a committee — especially three opposition Members led by André Milongo. They say that a number of pre-conditions are necessary before they’ll support the committee. The conditions are: The establishment of dialogue with Ntumi; a general amnesty; a cease-fire between the warring sides; all looters must leave the Pool region.

The rebel Ninjas, say: «We recognise that fighting is no long-term solution to any conflict. But when the civil rights of any particular group are violated, then all other groups could meet the same fate. Many of our country’s young people oppose all restrictions placed on their freedoms and basic rights».

Civil society is fully involved in the present peace initiatives. Women, the Churches, various associations and NGO‘s continue to intensify their efforts, especially in Congo’s main urban centres.

Everyone should be concerned by the on-going suffering endured by the Congolese people because of the never-ending wars. There is only one real solution — we must be prepared to sit down together; talk about our nation; and find suitable solutions. We call upon all decision-makers to take their nation’s destiny in hand.

• Médard Libani, Congo-Brazzaville, January 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment