Regional News

No progress in regional leaders meeting in Kampala

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A meeting of regional leaders held in Kampala to discuss a proposed neutral force for eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has ended with no concrete progress but a pledge to meet in a month.

 The leaders, representing 11 nations in the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, were hoping to come up with details of the makeup of the force that would be deployed to deal with rebel elements in eastern Congo.

Although they did not agree to the specifics, the leaders agreed to the formation of a committee of regional defence ministers that will draw up steps to ensure that rebel activity ends in Congo. The Ministers are expected to submit a full report in one month.

The meeting was hoped to defuse tensions between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, which have traded accusations of supporting each other's rebels.