The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that the South African Government remains totally committed to assisting all international efforts aimed at bringing about a peacefull and lasting solution to the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the earliest possible moment.
The Government emphatically denies accusations recently made in a Zimbabwean daily newspaper to the effect that it is stalling efforts to end the conflict by insisting on greater participation of DRC rebels in peace talks. Since the outbreak of the current conflict in the DRC during August 1998, the South African government has taken a consistent and clear position, based on its belief that only all-inclusive negotiations involving all parties to the conflict can ensure lasting peace in the DRC.
The Government remains convinced that the outcome of the Pretoria SADC Summit of 23 August 1998, provided the framwework for a negotiated solution to the conflict. The Summit called for a ceasefire; a cessation of hostilities; the withdrawal of all foreign forces involved in the conflict; and negotiations among all inhabitants of the DRC aimed at re-establishing a democratic government in the country.
Within that context, the South African Government has been fully supportive of the efforts of President Chiluba of Zambia, in accordance with the mandate given to him by the SADC Summit held in Mauritius during September 1998, to bring about a ceasefire in the DRC. The South African Government has in fact been actively involved in the SADC talks held in Lusaka and Gaberone aimed at getting agreement among all parties to the conflict - including the rebel forces - for the terms of a ceasefire and the modalities of its implementation. Due to President Kabila's refusal to negotiate directly with rebel forces, the talks have necessitated seperate discussions with representatives of these forces.
The South African government maintains the view that there is clearly both an external and an internal dimension to the conflict. In its opinion, the rebel forces are an important element which cannot be excluded from a ceasefire if an end to the hostilities is to be ensured. This however, does not amount to "elevating rebels to heads of State", according them "VIP treatment", or "undermining the sovereignty of the DRC government", as alleged in the relevant Zimbabwean press article.
The South African government would not do anything that will encourage any of the forces in conflict which might have any effect of undermining the peace process in the DRC. In so doing the Government has been acutely aware that any delay in bringing about a negotiated solution to the conflict could have disastrous consequences, not only for the economic reconstruction and development of the DRC, but for the well-being of all the inhabitants of our continent.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
3 JANUARY 1999