UN says peace deal "to end" DR Congo conflict
- 11 years ago
Rebel soldiers on the march in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For two decades, fighters like these have waged a bloody insurgency against the country's government.
But that could soon change.
On Sunday, more than a half-dozen African countries signed a peace deal in Ethiopia designed to end the fighting.
Those included Rwanda and Uganda, which the UN has accused of backing the Congolese rebels, known as M23.
Both countries deny the allegations.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the deal.
But he said more needed to be done to ensure peace in one of the most war-ravaged regions on the planet.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING:
"This signing ceremony is a significant event in itself, but it is only the beginning."
Meanwhile, DR Congo's government is holding peace talks with M23 leaders that include an amnesty for insurgents.
For two decades, fighters like these have waged a bloody insurgency against the country's government.
But that could soon change.
On Sunday, more than a half-dozen African countries signed a peace deal in Ethiopia designed to end the fighting.
Those included Rwanda and Uganda, which the UN has accused of backing the Congolese rebels, known as M23.
Both countries deny the allegations.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the deal.
But he said more needed to be done to ensure peace in one of the most war-ravaged regions on the planet.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING:
"This signing ceremony is a significant event in itself, but it is only the beginning."
Meanwhile, DR Congo's government is holding peace talks with M23 leaders that include an amnesty for insurgents.