afrol News, 22 January - There has been a delay in the signing of a peace deal between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and more than 20 rebel groups at a symbolic ceremony in the capital of North Kivu, Goma after some rebel groups withdrew from the talks, arguing that Congolese soldiers could not protect their tribes.

The deal guarantees an immediate cease fire, cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of all rebel forces from the trouble North Kivu and the resettlement of tens of thousands of villagers. It is expected to be signed late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The peace deal, backed by the United States, the European Union and the African Union, had been under way for two weeks. But it does not include Congo's renegade Tutsi general, Laurent Nkunda. The government had issued an international arrest warrant against Nkunda, accusing him of committing war crimes.

Under the deal, all fighting groups would be granted amnesty. However, it is not confirmed whether the renegade general who claims to be protecting his ethnic Tutsis in North Kivu from Rwandan Hutu rebel, will also enjoy amnesty.

United Nations troops would take charge of the 13 former rebel positions as soon as the deal has been reached. The details of the landmark deal will be worked out by specialist advisers from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States within a week.

The European Union has offered US $150 million for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged region where close to half a million people in Goma fled their homes last year. The deal seeks to nail the bloody conflict in the area.

According to International Rescue Committee, 45,000 people die of conflict-related incidents in Congo every month and that 5.4 million were dead in the past decade, the highest since the World War II.

Both Joseph Kabila, Congolese President and Laurent Nkunda were absent in the talks, although Kabila is in Goma.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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