Officials agree to end four-year Congo war after mediated talks

CONGOLESE and Rwandan officials announced they had reached an agreement to end a four-year war in Congo that has claimed more than 2 million lives, but rebel leaders warned that peace could remain elusive.

The deal, reached after five days of talks mediated by South Africa’s Deputy President Jacob Zuma and announced Monday, is the latest attempt to end a conflict that has embroiled six African nations and defied resolution efforts by international mediators.

The agreement commits the Congolese government to rounding up and disarming Hutu militias in territories under its control and sending them back to Rwanda, said one official.