Kabila Optimistic About Congo's Peace FutureJoseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said Thursday he is quite optimistic that there will be lasting peace in his country."I'm more than hopeful," said the president when he arrived at the Chileka international airport for his first official visit to Malawi. "The inter-Congolese dialogue is supposed to start on August 20 (this year). Up to today, there're no changes. So I believe it's on track," he said. Kabila's visit was two days after the closing ceremony of the annual summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held here. Kabila, whose country is a SADC member, accepted the invitation to the summit but failed to appear at the three-day meeting. "There are many explanation that we could give. The truth is that there was also quite a lot to do at home," he said when he was speaking at a press conference. "The importance of the summit was there. We had a delegation. I believe we're well represented," added the young president, who was met by Malawian President Bakili Muluzi and top government officials. According to reliable sources, during his two-day visit, Kabila is expected to hold close-door discussions with Muluzi, who currently holds the SADC chairmanship, and brief him with the latest development of the peace process in the DRC. Referring to the diamond trade in his country, which was also discussed at the just ended SADC summit, Kabila said that it is going on well. "The diamond market is moving fine, the liberalization is on track," he said. In a joint communique issued Tuesday, the SADC heads of states "condemned the looting of natural resources and minerals of the DRC, and called upon member states to prohibit the importation or transit of these resources through their territories". The leaders also commended Kabila "for his commitment to the peace process" and "noted with satisfaction that the peace process is back on track in the DRC". Thousands of Blantyre residents gathered along the road from the airport to downtown to welcome the Congolese president, who later participated a state banquet hosted by Muluzi. |
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