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Mobutu back in Zaire; S. Africa resumes peace efforts

Sources: Rebel troops advance toward Kinshasa

May 15, 1997
Web posted at: 11:56 a.m. EDT (1556 GMT)

Latest developments:

KINSHAHA, Zaire (CNN) -- Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko returned to the capital on Thursday as mediators tried to revive broken-down peace talks and rebels advanced toward Kinshaha.

Lead elements of forces led by rebel leader Laurent Kabila were moving along a highway between the Nsele and Bombo rivers, putting them about 50 miles (80 km) east of the capital, a source told CNN.


Rebel advancement to Kinshasa

Military analysts have said a bridge at the Nsele River could become a confrontation point between rebel troops and government soldiers.

The Zairian government, however, maintains that rebel forces are being held up by the army at the Kwango River about 180 km (110 miles) east of Kinshasa.

South Africa's effort

Unable to get rebel leader Laurent Kabila to go to Pointe Noire, Congo, to meet with President Mobutu Sese Seko as planned on Wednesday, South African and U.N. officials were meeting separately with the men or their representatives Thursday.

The talks were to focus on the creation of a transitional authority in Zaire.

UNHCR spokesperson Peter Kessler describes the
refugee situation
icon (390K/34 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)
CNN Correspondent Mike Hanna describes
the talks between Kabila and Mandela
icon (373K/33 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

South African officials would not comment on a state radio report that South Africa had made a 10-point proposal for Mobutu and Kabila to consider that called for the president to step down within 24 hours after signing it.

According to the report, the transitional authority -- consisting of representatives from all parties in proportions agreed to by Mobutu and Kabila -- would govern until elections are held.

As Mobutu left Pointe Noire to return to Kinshasa, a Zairian government delegation led by Foreign Minister Gerard Kamanda wa Kamanda prepared to talk with South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.

Kabila was en route to Cape Town, where he was to meet with South African President Nelson Mandela on Thursday afternoon. Mandela flew home from Pointe Noire earlier in the day.

Wednesday's mediation effort broke down when Kabila, citing security concerns, demanded that the talks take place at sea rather than in the harbor as they did when the rival leaders first met on May 4.

Mandela refused to move the vessel.

Correspondent Mike Hanna and Reuters contributed to this report.

 
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