SOUTH AFRICA: ZAIRIAN REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA VISIT

(26 Feb 1997) English/Nat
Zairian rebel leader Laurent Kabila said Wednesday that he was hopeful direct negotiations for a cease-fire in Zaire would start soon.
Speaking to journalists after meeting South African President Nelson Mandela, Kabila said any chance for a cease-fire depended on setting up talks with Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko's government.
Their meeting came as Honore Ngbanda, an envoy of Mobutu is in South Africa, where U-S-led talks continue on halting fighting in Zaire.
American officials say that while face-to-face peace talks in South Africa are unlikely, the presence of Kabila and Ngbanda could bring progress towards setting up the first direct meeting between the warring sides.
The meeting between President Mandela and Laurent Kabila took place amid great security at Mandela's residence in Johannesburg Wednesday evening.
The Zairian rebel leader had flown secretly to a small, rural airport north of Johannesburg on Tuesday to avoid detection.
The two men talked for about an hour.
When they emerged, the South African leader introduced his guest to the assembled media and invited questions.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I have with me General Laurent Desire Kabila, who is leading the well known forces in the eastern part of Zaire. He came down here to brief me about the situation but I would like to leave the matter to him and only to say we are discussing very sensitive matters where confidentiality is absolutely necessary."
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I was invited here by the president to brief him on the real situation going on in eastern and southern Zaire, I am very glad with the advice he gave me. And we must maybe assume that peace can be found here with the regime of Mister Mobutu. So let's hope that the negotiation will start very soon."
SUPER CAPTION: Laurent Kabila, Zairian rebel leader
When asked if a cease-fire was imminent, Kabila said it was up to the other side.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"No cease-fire - we are close to negotiation. We haven't had discussion with them so that we come to a cease-fire or other position."
Q: "How hopeful are you that there will be direct talks?"
A: "For me it is a matter, for us we are ready to have direct negotiations with them but we haven't yet discussed it with the others what did they decide, whether they decided to come to direct negotiations. But it is a matter."
SUPER CAPTION: Laurent Kabila, Zairian rebel leader
No face-to-face meeting has occurred so far between the warring Zairian factions.
But the presence of Kabila and Ngbanda, Mobutu's security adviser, in South Africa is seen as the strongest signal so far that peace talks could be launched soon.
The Kabila-led rebels took up arms in September after the government tried to expel ethnic Tutsis from eastern Zaire.
Their rebellion is aimed at toppling Mobutu, whose 31-year dictatorship has left mineral-rich Zaire among the world's poorest countries.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...

[@MrSihle1]

The role South Africa played in brining Africa to a peaceful continent ❤️🙏

[@isaacmpeti9311]

Which peace? Don't be a fool

[@MrSihle1]

@@isaacmpeti9311 they at least tried, hard, more than the west or anybody for that matter

[@isaacmpeti9311]

@@MrSihle1 well if that's how you see it, then I respect it. But for me, what's half done is not done at all.

[@mukongo-p9c]

South Africa played no role in bringing peace, they were always siding with the Rwandans and Ugandans at that time and wanted Congo to give up land to Rwanda. Nelson Mandela was a sellout and collaborated with the west to bring about instability in DR Congo.

[@PeterDewit-b4y]

Kabila,one of my best leaders of all times may he rest in peace

[@somethinginteresting8151]

Lol... He brought Rwanda to DRC... NOTHING SMART BETWEEN HIS EARS

[@devonsmack3944]

Spoke English really good... Not like Paul biya in Cameroon

[@natgenesis5038]

Brain washed why we need speak English perfectly

[@MADAMELOUBOUTIN]

Oh 😦 le pauvre Papa Laurent Desire Kabila speak 🗣 English really good 😌 le pauvre rest in peace ☮️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mariomulajapdgloyenge5051]

Que son âme se tourmente le garçon de course des rwandais

[@patricharme]

Mzee 💔💔

[@wamupepe5301]

Ohoo he speaks English very good ?? That's it, prima mzee kabila

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SAN NELSON MANDELA

[@orsnikalenga2560]

Nous ne sommes pas français de WE are english people

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SANTA FRANCISCA NSUE

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SAN ANTON LEMBEDE

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN BIYOGO MASIE

[@michaelguya5347]

Kabila was a shy man

[@angelasudi710]

Like you

[@mohammedusamah5207]

Michael Guya who are you,control your tong stupid.shika adabu yako mshenzi mmoja wewe

[@titan1286]

No hate but he literally led a rebel force against a dictator

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SANTA ESPERANZA NCHAMA

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN MARK ESSEX

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SAN ROBERT SOBUKWE

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN KUWASI BALAGOON

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN ISMAAIYL BRINSLEY

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN ANDREW ZONDO

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN GEORGE JACKSON

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SAN ROBERT MUGABE

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CEMENTERIO DE SAN JULIO OBAMA MEFUMAN. Estoy en el San Julio Obama Mefuman.

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN JEAN DESSALINES

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

dentro de la provincia de San Julio Obama estarán las siguientes ciudades. Ciudad de San Lucas Obama. ciudad de Santa Josefa Ndong. Ciudad de San Pedro Obama. Ciudad de Santa Catalina Mefuman. Ciudad de San Carmelo Obama Mefuman

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

PROVINCIA DE SAN JONATHAN JACKSON

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SANTA CATALINA MEFUMAN

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

1 de julio día de nacimiento de San Julio Obama Mefuman será festivo en todo el territorio de la república de San Rafael Nsué Nchama, actual Guinea Ecuatorial

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

JULIO OBAMA ACACIO MAÑE

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

JULIO OBAMA MASIE NGUEMA

[@kingzanika860]

Apa kabila anafanana mutu

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

JULIO OBAMA NVO ELA

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

JULIO OBAMA ONDO EDU

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

AEROPUERTO DE SAN JULIO OBAMA MEFUMAN

[@sanmicahxavierjohnsonnegro7100]

CIUDAD DE SAN MARTIN LUTHER KING