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Rebels sign DR Congo peace deal Rebels sign DR Congo peace deal
(10 minutes later)
A peace pact has been signed in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the government and armed rebel groups.A peace pact has been signed in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the government and armed rebel groups.
The Mai Mai militia and dissident rebel general Laurent Nkunda finally agreed to sign after long negotiations.The Mai Mai militia and dissident rebel general Laurent Nkunda finally agreed to sign after long negotiations.
The deal includes an immediate ceasefire, the phased withdrawal of all rebel forces in North Kivu province and resettlement of thousands of villagers.The deal includes an immediate ceasefire, the phased withdrawal of all rebel forces in North Kivu province and resettlement of thousands of villagers.
Conflict in the country is estimated to have claimed 5.4m lives since 1998. One observer called the pact "historic". It aims to end months of bloody conflict in the east which has driven almost 500,000 people from their homes.
One observer called the pact "historic".
The different factions had said they were ready to demobilise after seeing the peace deal on Monday but then disagreements emerged.The different factions had said they were ready to demobilise after seeing the peace deal on Monday but then disagreements emerged.
Talks involving the government and more than 20 rebel groups lasted more than two weeks and were sponsored by the United States, the European Union and the African Union.Talks involving the government and more than 20 rebel groups lasted more than two weeks and were sponsored by the United States, the European Union and the African Union.
The ceremony was attended by President Joseph Kabila and witnessed by reporters. Surviving Congo: In pictures Profile: Gen NkundaHave Your SayThe ceremony was attended by President Joseph Kabila and witnessed by reporters. Surviving Congo: In pictures Profile: Gen NkundaHave Your Say
The deal aims to end months of bloody conflict around the eastern city of Goma, which has driven close to half a million people from their homes in the last year.
War and related crises in the central African country is claiming 45,000 lives a month, according to an aid agency.War and related crises in the central African country is claiming 45,000 lives a month, according to an aid agency.
The International Rescue Committee says the death toll in the past decade has surpassed any conflict since World War II. The International Rescue Committee says the death toll in the past decade has surpassed any conflict since World War II - 5.4m.
The deal would grant amnesty to all fighting groups, but it is not clear what will happen to Mr Nkunda, who has not attended the talks.The deal would grant amnesty to all fighting groups, but it is not clear what will happen to Mr Nkunda, who has not attended the talks.
There has been talk that Gen Nkunda could be integrated into the army or sent into exile. There were suggestions that Gen Nkunda could be integrated into the army or sent into exile.
He leads the main rebel movement in the area and his forces repulsed a major government offensive last December.He leads the main rebel movement in the area and his forces repulsed a major government offensive last December.
The government has issued an international arrest warrant against Gen Nkunda, for alleged war crimes committed by his forces.The government has issued an international arrest warrant against Gen Nkunda, for alleged war crimes committed by his forces.
He claims his forces are protecting ethnic Tutsis in North Kivu from Rwandan Hutu rebels, who have lived in eastern DR Congo since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.He claims his forces are protecting ethnic Tutsis in North Kivu from Rwandan Hutu rebels, who have lived in eastern DR Congo since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.