DRC talks delegates to discuss amnesty

By Raymond Baguma    
                                          
The ongoing dialogue in Kampala to end fighting in Eastern DR Congo is set to discuss a proposal to offer general amnesty for war and insurgency acts.

This is according to the final agenda released after the ninth plenary meeting of the dialogue between the DR Congo government and M23 rebels on Wednesday.

The agenda was released to journalists during a press conference by the spokespersons for the dialogue Fred Opolot and Col. Paddy Ankunda at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

So far, the dialogue has agreed on the agenda and rules of procedure for the dialogue; and is set to discuss security, social, political and economic matters affecting the restive North and South Kivu as well as an implementation plan.

The agenda for dialogue also includes evaluating the implementation of the failed implementation of the March 23, 2009 accord that was signed with the Congréss National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP) rebel group and the DRC government.

Under security, the dialogue will discuss the functioning of the defence, security services and public order agencies, compensation of goods looted in the occupied territory under M23 rebels, as well as reparations for damage due to war.

The meeting wills also discussion the violation of the constitution, human rights, marginalization and discrimination of the region and the people as well as releasing of political prisoners and prisoners of war.

The M23 rebels captured Goma on November 20, but withdrew from Goma two weeks later after the intervention of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) headed by President Museveni.

The Kampala talks follow the declaration on November 24, by the Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), on the security situation in Eastern DRC.