Mobutu's next move?
Rebels advance but Zaire insists president will return
May 8, 1997
Web posted at: 11:31 a.m. EDT (1531 GMT)
Latest developments:
KINSHASA, Zaire (CNN) -- As rebels appeared to push closer to
Zaire's capital, President Mobutu Sese Seko and fellow
African leaders continued a mini-summit in Gabon on Thursday
trying to find a solution to the conflict.
Despite speculation Mobutu went to Gabon as a jumping off
point to exile in another country, Zaire's information
minister continued to insist the president planned to return,
possibly on Thursday or Friday.
However, several senior government officials already have
fled Zaire or plan to, reliable sources in Kinshasa told CNN.
Rebels reported to have taken Kenge
Western sources told CNN that rebels had taken control of
Kenge -- 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of the capital
Kinshaha -- on Tuesday.
Residents of Kenge, in radio contact with Kinshasa, said at
least 200 civilians, 106 government soldiers and 15 rebels
were killed in heavy fighting. Aid groups in Kenge also
reported several hundred deaths.
On Wednesday, the rebels acknowledged they had faced heavy
resistance from loyalist forces around Kenge, and accused
Mobutu of bringing in mercenaries from Angola and Rwanda.
A government spokesman in Kinshaha denied that troops from
other countries were fighting with Zaire's soldiers, and said
he had no information about the situation in Kenge.
If the rebels seized Kenge and its airport, they could be in
position to fly troops into Kinshasa and secure the
international airport. Rebel leader Laurent Kabila has said
the airport would be his first target in the capital.
Kabila has accused Mobutu of enriching himself during his
32-year dictatorship. Despite being rich in diamonds, copper
and other natural resources, Zaire has fallen into poverty
and dilapidation during Mobutu's rule.
France says it doesn't know Mobutu's intentions
Should Mobutu flee Africa -- something his family and
government repeatedly insist won't happen -- one possible
destination was France, where he has a Riviera villa. Mobutu,
66, has prostate cancer had has received medical treatment in
France in the past.
In Paris, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday that
France had no information on Mobutu's intentions.
Bill Richardson, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, met
with French officials Thursday to discuss the U.S. approach
to peace in Zaire.
The foreign ministry spokesman would not say whether Mobutu's
possible return to France was discussed.
Correspondent Mike Hanna and Reuters contributed to this
report.
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