from Stamau123@lemmy.world to world@lemmy.world on 31 May 15:00
https://lemmy.world/post/30549627
GOMA, May 29 (Reuters) - Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila appeared for the first time in public in rebel-held territory in the country’s volatile east on Thursday, meeting with religious leaders in what participants said was a push for peace.
Kabila, who has been out of the country since 2023, mostly in South Africa, is wanted in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity for supporting the insurgency in the east, including a role in the massacre of civilians. Congo has also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders.
The former president’s camp denies any ties to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have seized more territory than ever since January. He had been vowing to return to the Central African country for weeks to help find a solution to the conflict.
His return could complicate Washington’s plans for a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda. Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters earlier this month the deal could be signed this summer, accompanied by minerals deals aimed at bringing billions of dollars of Western investment to the region.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s government in Kinshasa this week accused Kabila of “positioning himself as the rebel leader” along with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
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