June 8, 1999
Web posted at: 5:49 p.m. EDT (2149 GMT)

In this story: Kabila forces lose key airport Rebel factions take step toward unity RELATED STORIES, SITES

KISANGANI, Congo (CNN) -- Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo seeking to oust President Laurent Kabila have strengthened their hold on his hometown, while agreeing to hold talks with supporters on forming a united front.

Rebels from the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) overcame heavy resistance to capture the airport at the strategic eastern town of Manono on June 1, Radio Rwanda said Tuesday.

Independent sources in Manono confirmed that the town's airport was held by rebels and their Rwandan allies. The town itself fell May 8, but the airport -- heavily defended by Zimbabwean troops backing Kabila -- held out until last week, the radio report said.

At the same time, the three rebel factions fighting to oust Kabila agreed Tuesday to meet with Rwandan and Ugandan backers on forming a united front ahead of cease-fire talks expected next week.

Kabila forces lose key airport

The fall of the Manono airport, which is 1,500 kilometers (1,000 miles) southeast of Kinshasa, the capital, could provide the rebels with an important base as they attempt to push on toward Lubumbashi, a Kabila stronghold to the south.

"In the heavy fighting that took place in the area ... a lot of ammunition and communications equipment, in addition to 100 soldiers belonging to Kabila's allies -- the Zimbabwean troops and (Rwandan) Interahamwe militia -- were captured," the radio report said.

"One-hundred and seventy-five Congolese soldiers are also now held as prisoners of war," according to the report.

Radio Rwanda said the diamond-rich city of Mbuji-Mayi, long a key rebel target, was now surrounded by rebel troops. There was no independent confirmation.

The fall of Mbuji-Mayi would be a major achievement for the rebels, giving them a huge economic boost while simultaneously depriving the Kabila government of its most valuable source of revenue.

Backed by their allies, various rebel factions have captured vast territories across the northern and eastern reaches of the country, including the important cities of Kisangani and Goma.

Rebel factions take step toward unity

The three rebel factions have been deeply divided, but took an apparent step toward bridging their differences when they agreed to meet to form a united front ahead of peace talks.

The Congolese Democratic Coalition boycotted the meeting Monday, but leader Bizima Karaha said he was now prepared to talk with the other two factions in the southwestern Ugandan town of Kabale on the Rwandan border.

Rwanda and Uganda had agreed earlier to form a united front in their bid to unseat Kabila, and have poured troops and arms into Congo to support the 10-month rebellion. But their differences on the conduct of the war and how to end it have reflected on the rebel groups they support.

The original rebel coalition of ethnic Congolese Tutsis, disaffected soldiers and opposition politicians last month replaced its leader, Ernest Wamba dia Wamba. Backed by Uganda, Wamba has refused to step aside.

A third group is led by Jean-Pierre Bemba, a Congolese businessman-turned-guerrilla who also has Ugandan backing.

The meeting in Uganda went ahead Monday without Karaha. Observers from neutral Tanzania also attended the meeting.

On Monday, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told Angolan state television that Kabila's allies -- Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia -- were ready to talk peace with the rebels and their backers.

The current rebellion was launched just a year after Kabila himself marched into the capital, Kinshasa, deposing President Mobutu Sese-Seko from the helm of a country then called Zaire. The rebels accuse Kabila of mismanagement, corruption and ethnic warmongering.

Uganda and Rwanda became involved in the conflict after accusing Kabila of allowing insurgents to attack their borders. Rwanda also accused the Kabila regime of genocide against ethnic Tutsis living in Congo.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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