July 5, 1999 - The on-going negotiations between the rebels and the Kabila government in Lusaka are a positive evolution in the Congolese crisis and the conflict in the Great Lakes region in general. We not only wish that these negotiations lead to a cease-fire, but also that they open a possibility for a real national dialogue conducive to the normalization of the political life in the Congo. This normalization remains in our mind, the primary condition for the stabilization not only of the Congo, but also of the whole of Central Africa and the Great Lakes region.
In its Eleven-point plan proposed on August 7, 1998, for a resolution of the war, The Rally for A New Society ( RNS) had suggested this framework. However, we would like to emphasize to all concerned Congolese the fact that, the Lusaka negotiations and a possible cease-fire as a result constitute only the beginning of a long process, which surely will be strewn with traps. Obviously, for the process to succeed, there must be a sincere desire to bring together all the sons and daughters of the Congo, so they may forge a real consensus, seek a genuine political solution, and thus put an end to the terrible misery inflicted on our people.
In as much as several other conflicts and foreigners have added themselves to it, the Congolese conflict is, in my opinion, the most complex conflict the African continent has ever had to face. It will be then necessary after Lusaka to be ever vigilant, determined and clever, particularly seeing that the Lusaka accord, if there is one, would have omitted several procedural points and details left to negotiations whose outcome will likely lead to the obstruction of the process at any given time. In fact, we should realize here that, because of the lack of real political will, the Angolan crisis is today at its climax, and this despite the Lusaka accord of 1994 which was guaranteed by the United Nations, the United States of America, France and Russia. Therefore, nothing can serve as a substitute for the political will of a people and for us Congolese, we owe it to ourselves to understand that the first responsibility is ours, that we will always be both the first beneficiaries of all that comes out as good and positive in our country, and the first victims of a negative outcome.
RNS, which I am honored to lead, at this very moment, would like to earnestly contribute to this long struggle for the coming of a democratic and prosperous Congo where life can be enjoyable. Hence, we reach out to all the sons and daughters of the Congo to provide us all needed assistance to win this fight. We must guaranty noble and respectable destiny and future to our children and grandchildren, and, at any cost, better than what we have inherited so far.
Long live a free and prosperous Congo
Alafuele M. Kalala
President, RNS