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Eastern Congo peace deal signed Eastern Congo peace deal signed
(10 minutes later)
A peace pact has been signed in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the government and armed groups.A peace pact has been signed in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the government and armed 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, described as historic by one observer, includes an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 13 key locations.The deal, described as historic by one observer, includes an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 13 key locations.
It aims to end months of bloody conflict in the east which has driven almost 500,000 people from their homes.It aims to end months of bloody conflict in the east which has driven almost 500,000 people from their homes.
But it does not appear to include the disarming of an ethnic Hutu militia - which could potentially threaten the deal's implementation.But it does not appear to include the disarming of an ethnic Hutu militia - which could potentially threaten the deal's implementation.
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.
The breakthrough came after a flurry of last minute face to face contacts and telephone calls involving government ministers, the rebels and international diplomats. The breakthrough came after a flurry of last-minute face-to-face contacts and telephone calls involving government ministers, the rebels and international diplomats.
Rogue generalRogue general
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 grants amnesty to Mr Nkunda's rebels and militias allied to the government, but it is not clear what will happen to Mr Nkunda, who has not attended the talks.The deal grants amnesty to Mr Nkunda's rebels and militias allied to the government, but it is not clear what will happen to Mr Nkunda, who has not attended the talks.
There were suggestions 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.
Gen Nkunda 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.Gen Nkunda 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.
The area around Goma is highly sensitive region because it borders Rwanda which has over the years been deeply involved in the Congo conflict. The area around Goma is highly sensitive region because it borders Rwanda which has over the years been deeply involved in the DR Congo conflict.
Gen Nkunda's negotiators said he would integrate his Congolese Tutsi forces into the Congolese government army - so reducing the risk of further fighting - but only if the Hutu militia was also disarmed.Gen Nkunda's negotiators said he would integrate his Congolese Tutsi forces into the Congolese government army - so reducing the risk of further fighting - but only if the Hutu militia was also disarmed.
War and related crises in the central African country are claiming 45,000 lives a month, according to an aid agency.War and related crises in the central African country are claiming 45,000 lives a month, according to an aid agency.
The International Rescue Committee says the death toll in the past decade in DR Congo has surpassed any conflict since World War II - 5.4m.The International Rescue Committee says the death toll in the past decade in DR Congo has surpassed any conflict since World War II - 5.4m.