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.

The Hutu militia, known as Interahamwe, were responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide that left more than 500,000 people dead. Rwanda has consistently made the return of the Interahamwe a condition for withdrawing its troops from Congolese soil.

The deal must still be ratified by presidents Joseph Kabila of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Just how successful the latest agreement will prove in ending Congo’s war remains to be seen. The Congolese government has promised to turn over the Interahamwe in the past but failed to do so, and previous cease-fires have been repeatedly violated.

Officials said Monday’s peace deal was expected to be signed within the next 10 days and should be implemented within three months.