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Zairian rebels renew offensive
April 13, 1997
Web posted at: 2:37 p.m. EDT (1837 GMT)GOMA, Zaire (CNN) -- After a three-day pause, Zairian rebels renewed their campaign Sunday to topple President Mobutu Sese Seko. Rebel forces marched toward the capital of Kinshasa, where one official described the mood as "an atmosphere of panic."
Rebels have swept across eastern Zaire since October, capturing half the nation, including its second- and third- largest cities. A rebel ultimatum had given Mobutu until Sunday to resign -- a demand Mobutu defiantly rejected Saturday.
"We have decided we won't give Mobutu another a chance," said Bizima Karaha, the rebel's foreign affairs adviser. "We want him to leave the country and then we can negotiate a cease- fire."
Gen. Amela Lokima, the military governor of Kinshasa, described the capital as being in chaos and appealed for calm among its 5 million residents.
"An atmosphere of panic ... reigns among Kinshasa's men and women," Lokima said in an address on state television. "The most fantastic rumors, according to which the city of Kinshasa would soon fall to the armed rebellion, are gaining ground."
"The security of our capital is our fundamental duty."
State television reported panic had gripped districts of Kinshasa near the airport after anti-Mobutu militants urged residents to evacuate.
Karaha said rebel leader Laurent Kabila will probably travel to South Africa soon to boost peace talks there and spur negotiations on Mobutu's departure.
Rebels have been pushing for a summit with Mobutu. On Saturday, the president indicated for the first time he would be willing to meet with Kabila if the rebel leader asked "politely." Karaha said Kabila may accept Mobutu's offer to talk face-to-face.
Rebels contend Mobutu, whose net worth is estimated at more than $5 billion, has enriched himself while leaving the nation impoverished during his nearly 32-year reign.
Rebels captured Lubumbashi, the nation's second-largest city, on Friday in the conflict's heaviest fighting to date. The conquest consolidated the rebels' hold on the mineral-rich southeast, the source of much of the revenue for Zaire's ruling class.
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Related stories:
- Mobutu says he's willing to meet with rebels - April 12, 1997
- U.N. tests evacuation plan in Zaire - April 11, 1997
- Zaire's Mobutu confers with new prime minister - April 10, 1997
- Mobutu fires Zairian prime minister - April 9, 1997
- Malnutrition takes deadly toll on Zaire refugees - April 9, 1997
- U.N. report: Zairian rebels massacred refugees - April 8, 1997
- Zaire soldiers use tear gas, batons to end march - April 7, 1997
- The roots of Zaire's unrest - April 2, 1997
Related sites:
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- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Crisis in Central Africa
- Official web site of Zaire
- Zaire Watch
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