U.N. tours for Congo peace

Roget Kambule, 14, is a veteran of two Congolese wars waiting to begin his reintegration into civilian life

UNITED NATIONS -- A U.N. Security Council mission has begun an intense tour of 10 African countries in an effort to end the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The delegation includes 12 of the 15 council members -- the largest council representation ever to travel to one of the world's trouble spots.

The civil war in Congo began in August 1998 with a rebellion against President Laurent Kabila and dragged in six neighbouring countries.

Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda are allied with the rebel forces while the Congolese government is supported by Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The war has split the country roughly in two, with the rebels controlling the eastern half and the government the west.

A ceasefire was agreed in July 1999, in Lusaka, Zambia, but was only implemented in February following the assassination of Kabila. His son, Joseph, is now the president.

RESOURCES Congo's cascading civil war: A primer Counting the dead in Congo     COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Democratic Republic of Congo Provided by CountryWatch.com     MESSAGE BOARD Share your thoughts on the strife in the Congo

Since February, combatants have pulled back their forces from front lines and the U.N. has deployed some 1,300 military observers to monitor and guard the withdrawal.

French ambassador Jean-David Levitte, leader of the council group, believes the peace process has come to a "turning point."

Some Rwandan and Ugandan troops -- who support rival Congo rebel groups -- have begun to leave the Congo. The next phase of the peace process calls for all foreign troops to leave -- including those from Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia -- who are bolstering government forces.

Although the council has kept its distance in imposing a peace settlement, the ambassadors are worried warlords will move into the space foreign forces now control. Consequently, it intends to urge political dialogue that has been stalled among Congolese opponents.

The council envoys include ambassadors from Britain, China, Colombia, France, Jamaica, Ireland, Mali, Mauritius, Singapore, Tunisia, Ukraine and the United States. The only three members of the 15-nation body not represented on the trip are Russia, Norway and Bangladesh.

The delegation goes to South Africa first then on to the Congo, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe as well as to Zambia for meetings with ministers involved in the Congolese conflict. It then goes to Rwanda and Uganda as well as Burundi -- where a civil war is raging -- and to Arusha and Tanzania, to see Burundi rebel groups.

At all stops they are scheduled to meet with heads of state.