http://www.afroamerica.net/AfricaGL/2013/06/18/us-government-to-push-direct-peace-talks-among-african-governments-and-their-moderate-armed-opposition/

US Government to Push Direct Peace Talks Among African Governments and Their Moderate Armed Opposition?

by AFROAMERICA NETWORK on JUNE 18, 2013

President Barack Obama is visiting Africa late June to early July 2013, his first trip to Africa since he began his second term. He will travel to Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa, visiting South Africa, Tanzania, and Senegal. During his meetings with African leaders,  President Obama  will most likely emphasize the primacy of direct peace talks over wars to resolve ongoing African conflicts.
Photo: President Barack Obama Chatting with Kids in Africa in 2009.

His trip to Africa comes when there are significant political, diplomatic, and security developments in the Great Lakes Region of Africa:

•  The  Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the Region (see See our article: UN Special Envoy in Great Lakes: Will Rwandan President Kagame Seize the Opportunity of March 7, 2023)
• the appointment by the UN Secretary General Special Representative, the deployment of UN Intervention Brigade, and
• the recent statements by the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete at the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union in which he urged  the Heads of State of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)  to open direct talks  with their armed opposition as the best way to bring durable peace in the eastern DRC and Rwanda  (see our article: Talk to Your Armed Opposition, Tanzanian President Kikwete Tells Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Joseph Kabila of DRC of May 26, 2013)

But most importantly, it comes when there is worldwide and within US Government momentum to promote peace over wars, direct talks over bloodshed.

US Government is to Open Direct Peace Talks with the Taliban

This Tuesday, Senior Whitehouse officials have confirmed that the US Government will,  this week  starting this Thursday, hold direct talks with the Taliban, after more than 12 years of fighting. This is a major shift in the US policy regarding the Taliban. The meetings will be held in Doha, Qatar where the Taliban have already offices. The US government has put conditions that the Taliban must renounce violence first, respect the Afghan constitution, and break ties with al-Qaeda. Negotiations are expected to be intense and to test the nerves of both the US Government nnd the Taliban negotiators. In fact, in the past, Taliban have always criticized Afghan President Karzai of being the puppet of the West, whereas the Afghan President has criticized the US  and Quatari governments of contacting the Taliban without his approval. The US Government's openness to direct talks is a major shift in the vision on how armed conflicts around need to be resolved and may signal the tone of the talks the US Government will have in South Africa and Tanzania.

President Obama will most likely support Tanzanian President Jikaya Kikwete's vision of direct talks as the best way to resolve conflicts.

US President Barack Obama will likely Support Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete's recommendation to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and DRC President Joseph Kabila to hold talks with their respective armed opposition.

On May 26, 2013, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete urged direct talks among belligerents in Rwanda, Eastern DRC,  and Uganda.  For him, the United Nations Intervention Brigade is helpful in the short term but is not paramount for durable peace in the Great Lakes region. To have durable peace, a global dialogue is warranted. General  Paul Kagame needs to have direct talks with the Rwandan armed rebel movements operating from the Congolese provinces of Kivus the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).  Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni  needs to  hold similar talks with the rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces/National Army for the Liberation of Uganda [ADF-NALU] opposed to his government, and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila needs to jump start the peace talks with M23 Congolese rebels.

If the US is ready to talk to the Talibans, then General Paul Kagame of Rwanda can no longer have an excuse of not talking to the Rwandan armed opposition. The same for Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Joseph Kabila of DRC.

Joseph Kabila is already talking to his armed opposition of M23 rebels. Yoweri Museveni has supported Jikaya Kikwete's proposal. The black sheep  among  the leaders of the region is General Paul Kagame who, along with his puppet Hutu Prime Minister Pierre Habumuremyi, and his blaring Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Louise Mushikiwabo,  chose to denigrate, slander and libel  the Tanzanian President  for proposing the direct peace talks.

President Obama's public support for direct talks among African belligerents will likely increase pressure on General Paul Kagame.

In South Africa, President Obama's visit comes at the heels of the SADC endorsement of direct talks in Rwanda , DRC, and Uganda. He will most likely echo SADC's call.

On Saturday June 15, 2013, the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of Southern African Development Community (SADC)  held in Maputo, Mozambique, urged Rwanda and Uganda to consider direct talks with all armed opposition group for a long lasting political solution  in the Great Lakes Region.

In their joint communique at the end of the Summit, the SADC leaders said: "The Summit noted that there is need for the Engagement among all political stakeholders in the DRC to find a long lasting solution to peace, security and stability:

"Summit appealed to the Republics of Rwanda and Uganda to consider engaging all the negative forces in an effort to find a lasting political solution in the Great Lakes Region, under the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework."

In the same communique, the leaders applauded Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for mediating in the peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels.

With Yoweri Museveni applauded by SADC and Joseph Kabila acknowledged for his direct talks with M23 rebels, who remains isolated: General Paul Kagame. The  endorsement of the direct talks by President Obama during his trip will further isolate General Paul Kagame.

©2013 AfroAmerica Network. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.afroamerica.net/AfricaGL/2013/06/18/us-government-to-push-direct-peace-talks-among-african-governments-and-their-moderate-armed-opposition/

US Government to Push Direct Peace Talks Among African Governments and Their Moderate Armed Opposition?

by AFROAMERICA NETWORK on JUNE 18, 2013

President Barack Obama is visiting Africa late June to early July 2013, his first trip to Africa since he began his second term. He will travel to Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa, visiting South Africa, Tanzania, and Senegal. During his meetings with African leaders,  President Obama  will most likely emphasize the primacy of direct peace talks over wars to resolve ongoing African conflicts.
Photo: President Barack Obama Chatting with Kids in Africa in 2009.

His trip to Africa comes when there are significant political, diplomatic, and security developments in the Great Lakes Region of Africa:

•  The  Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the Region (see See our article: UN Special Envoy in Great Lakes: Will Rwandan President Kagame Seize the Opportunity of March 7, 2023)
• the appointment by the UN Secretary General Special Representative, the deployment of UN Intervention Brigade, and
• the recent statements by the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete at the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union in which he urged  the Heads of State of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)  to open direct talks  with their armed opposition as the best way to bring durable peace in the eastern DRC and Rwanda  (see our article: Talk to Your Armed Opposition, Tanzanian President Kikwete Tells Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Joseph Kabila of DRC of May 26, 2013)

But most importantly, it comes when there is worldwide and within US Government momentum to promote peace over wars, direct talks over bloodshed.

US Government is to Open Direct Peace Talks with the Taliban

This Tuesday, Senior Whitehouse officials have confirmed that the US Government will,  this week  starting this Thursday, hold direct talks with the Taliban, after more than 12 years of fighting. This is a major shift in the US policy regarding the Taliban. The meetings will be held in Doha, Qatar where the Taliban have already offices. The US government has put conditions that the Taliban must renounce violence first, respect the Afghan constitution, and break ties with al-Qaeda. Negotiations are expected to be intense and to test the nerves of both the US Government nnd the Taliban negotiators. In fact, in the past, Taliban have always criticized Afghan President Karzai of being the puppet of the West, whereas the Afghan President has criticized the US  and Quatari governments of contacting the Taliban without his approval. The US Government's openness to direct talks is a major shift in the vision on how armed conflicts around need to be resolved and may signal the tone of the talks the US Government will have in South Africa and Tanzania.

President Obama will most likely support Tanzanian President Jikaya Kikwete's vision of direct talks as the best way to resolve conflicts.

US President Barack Obama will likely Support Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete's recommendation to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and DRC President Joseph Kabila to hold talks with their respective armed opposition.

On May 26, 2013, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete urged direct talks among belligerents in Rwanda, Eastern DRC,  and Uganda.  For him, the United Nations Intervention Brigade is helpful in the short term but is not paramount for durable peace in the Great Lakes region. To have durable peace, a global dialogue is warranted. General  Paul Kagame needs to have direct talks with the Rwandan armed rebel movements operating from the Congolese provinces of Kivus the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).  Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni  needs to  hold similar talks with the rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces/National Army for the Liberation of Uganda [ADF-NALU] opposed to his government, and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila needs to jump start the peace talks with M23 Congolese rebels.

If the US is ready to talk to the Talibans, then General Paul Kagame of Rwanda can no longer have an excuse of not talking to the Rwandan armed opposition. The same for Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Joseph Kabila of DRC.

Joseph Kabila is already talking to his armed opposition of M23 rebels. Yoweri Museveni has supported Jikaya Kikwete's proposal. The black sheep  among  the leaders of the region is General Paul Kagame who, along with his puppet Hutu Prime Minister Pierre Habumuremyi, and his blaring Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Louise Mushikiwabo,  chose to denigrate, slander and libel  the Tanzanian President  for proposing the direct peace talks.

President Obama's public support for direct talks among African belligerents will likely increase pressure on General Paul Kagame.

In South Africa, President Obama's visit comes at the heels of the SADC endorsement of direct talks in Rwanda , DRC, and Uganda. He will most likely echo SADC's call.

On Saturday June 15, 2013, the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of Southern African Development Community (SADC)  held in Maputo, Mozambique, urged Rwanda and Uganda to consider direct talks with all armed opposition group for a long lasting political solution  in the Great Lakes Region.

In their joint communique at the end of the Summit, the SADC leaders said: "The Summit noted that there is need for the Engagement among all political stakeholders in the DRC to find a long lasting solution to peace, security and stability:

"Summit appealed to the Republics of Rwanda and Uganda to consider engaging all the negative forces in an effort to find a lasting political solution in the Great Lakes Region, under the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework."

In the same communique, the leaders applauded Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for mediating in the peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels.

With Yoweri Museveni applauded by SADC and Joseph Kabila acknowledged for his direct talks with M23 rebels, who remains isolated: General Paul Kagame. The  endorsement of the direct talks by President Obama during his trip will further isolate General Paul Kagame.

©2013 AfroAmerica Network. All Rights Reserved.

US Press Briefing Announcement Regarding Great Lakes Special Representative

http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/06/210779.htm

Press Briefing Announcement Regarding Great Lakes Special Representative

Remarks

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Press Briefing Room

Washington, DC

June 18, 2013

Share on facebookShare on twitter

---

SECRETARY KERRY:　 Good morning, everybody.

QUESTION:　 It's a late morning.

SECRETARY KERRY:　 Good afternoon.　 (Laughter.)

I'm happy to spend just a few minutes with you today and I apologize that I have to run over to the White House quickly after this, but I wanted to be able to focus personally on an important addition to our team here at the State Department; an individual who is going to provide, I believe, a very important focus on a long-troubled region.

As everybody here knows, the suffering in the Great Lakes region of Africa and the ongoing crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to trouble all of us greatly.　 We are convinced that we have to help the parties find a path to a lasting peace, to a permanent cessation of hostilities, and to the disarmament and demobilization of M23, accountability for human rights abuses, and finally, a breaking down of the barriers that are standing between humanitarian aid and the civilians who need it.

For the President and for me, this is a high-level priority and it needs to be met with high-level leadership.　 And that's why today, I'm pleased to announce the appointment of my former colleague in the United States Senate, Russ Feingold, as the new United States Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Russ and I served together in the Senate for some 18 years.　 I have a lot of respect for a lot of qualities of Russ – his intellect, his courage, his passion – but with respect to this mission, chief among those qualities that are important right now is his expertise on Africa.　 In the Senate, when Russ Feingold addressed the issues of Africa, the Senate listened.　 He chaired the Africa subcommittee when I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and I think my predecessor as chairman, the Vice President Joe Biden, would agree with me that Russ Feingold was the Senate's leading advocate and expert on Africa.　 I'm very grateful that he has agreed to come back to government and to apply the expertise that he gained those years for the Obama Administration and for the State Department.

Russ will be coordinating with me and with the Bureau of African Affairs to shape our strategy on the many challenges in the region – cross-border security; political, economic, and social assistance issues; and many other issues.　 I mentioned some of them earlier – M23, the violence, the need to build confidence and capacity in the region.　 He will also work very closely with the United Nations Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, and he will work specifically to ensure the prompt and full implementation of the UN's Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Barrie Walkley for all that he has done, working hard to further peace and security in the Great Lakes and the D.R.C.　 He has served with great distinction as the Special Advisor on the Great Lakes and the D.R.C. since December of 2011.

I want to emphasize that the stakes in this part of the world – and this was brought home to me in many of my conversations when I was in Addis Ababa for the 50^th anniversary of the African Union – the stakes are very significant, and it is absolutely vital that we do everything possible in order to move things in the right direction and make the right choices.　 I am committed, as the President is committed and as is Russ Feingold, to focusing intensely on this challenge.　 And I can't think of anybody better than Russ Feingold to take on the challenge.　 I'm happy to once again call him my colleague in government service.

So with that, I'll turn the podium over to Jen Psaki for her briefing, and I can't unfortunately take any questions now.

QUESTION:　 Not on the Taliban?

SECRETARY KERRY:　 But a bunch of you will have a chance to have at me in a few days on that.　 It's good news.　 We're very pleased with what has taken place.　 Thanks.

PRN: 2013/0757

US Press Briefing Announcement Regarding Great Lakes Special Representative

http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/06/210779.htm

Press Briefing Announcement Regarding Great Lakes Special Representative

Remarks

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Press Briefing Room

Washington, DC

June 18, 2013

Share on facebookShare on twitter

---

SECRETARY KERRY:　 Good morning, everybody.

QUESTION:　 It's a late morning.

SECRETARY KERRY:　 Good afternoon.　 (Laughter.)

I'm happy to spend just a few minutes with you today and I apologize that I have to run over to the White House quickly after this, but I wanted to be able to focus personally on an important addition to our team here at the State Department; an individual who is going to provide, I believe, a very important focus on a long-troubled region.

As everybody here knows, the suffering in the Great Lakes region of Africa and the ongoing crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to trouble all of us greatly.　 We are convinced that we have to help the parties find a path to a lasting peace, to a permanent cessation of hostilities, and to the disarmament and demobilization of M23, accountability for human rights abuses, and finally, a breaking down of the barriers that are standing between humanitarian aid and the civilians who need it.

For the President and for me, this is a high-level priority and it needs to be met with high-level leadership.　 And that's why today, I'm pleased to announce the appointment of my former colleague in the United States Senate, Russ Feingold, as the new United States Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Russ and I served together in the Senate for some 18 years.　 I have a lot of respect for a lot of qualities of Russ – his intellect, his courage, his passion – but with respect to this mission, chief among those qualities that are important right now is his expertise on Africa.　 In the Senate, when Russ Feingold addressed the issues of Africa, the Senate listened.　 He chaired the Africa subcommittee when I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and I think my predecessor as chairman, the Vice President Joe Biden, would agree with me that Russ Feingold was the Senate's leading advocate and expert on Africa.　 I'm very grateful that he has agreed to come back to government and to apply the expertise that he gained those years for the Obama Administration and for the State Department.

Russ will be coordinating with me and with the Bureau of African Affairs to shape our strategy on the many challenges in the region – cross-border security; political, economic, and social assistance issues; and many other issues.　 I mentioned some of them earlier – M23, the violence, the need to build confidence and capacity in the region.　 He will also work very closely with the United Nations Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, and he will work specifically to ensure the prompt and full implementation of the UN's Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Barrie Walkley for all that he has done, working hard to further peace and security in the Great Lakes and the D.R.C.　 He has served with great distinction as the Special Advisor on the Great Lakes and the D.R.C. since December of 2011.

I want to emphasize that the stakes in this part of the world – and this was brought home to me in many of my conversations when I was in Addis Ababa for the 50^th anniversary of the African Union – the stakes are very significant, and it is absolutely vital that we do everything possible in order to move things in the right direction and make the right choices.　 I am committed, as the President is committed and as is Russ Feingold, to focusing intensely on this challenge.　 And I can't think of anybody better than Russ Feingold to take on the challenge.　 I'm happy to once again call him my colleague in government service.

So with that, I'll turn the podium over to Jen Psaki for her briefing, and I can't unfortunately take any questions now.

QUESTION:　 Not on the Taliban?

SECRETARY KERRY:　 But a bunch of you will have a chance to have at me in a few days on that.　 It's good news.　 We're very pleased with what has taken place.　 Thanks.

PRN: 2013/0757

DRC: We Got the Envoy

http://blog.fallingwhistles.com/?utm_source=Falling+Whistles+Global+Coalition&utm_campaign=58898f223b-Feingold6_18_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f5f7230dc0-58898f223b-33676345&mc_cid=58898f223b&mc_eid=a45f02bd47

We Got the Envoy.

When JFK wanted to stave off the Cold War, he sent his brother Bobby to Moscow as a Special Envoy.

When the American revolutionaries needed more troops, they sent Benjamin Franklin to France as a Special Envoy.

Two years ago, 24,000 whistleblowers, 77 Congolese organizations, 35 Congressmen, and 16 Senators rallied together demanding that President Obama send a Special Envoy to Congo and make an explicit, all-out effort to settle this crisis.

WATCH: Free + Fair: The Power of a Petition

At the time, Congo's elections were fast-approaching, and every sign pointed to disaster. 

The State Department brushed off our demands and reassured the public thateverything would be A-OK. But it wasn't. In November 2011, President Joseph Kabila won a second term in office through rigged elections. Congo's democracy began to collapse, setting the stage for the M23 rebel movement.

In response, the State Department appointed Ambassador Barrie Walkley as a "Special Advisor" for Congo. We met with Walkley last summer at the start of the M23 rebellion, demanding that the U.S. cut funding to M23's backers in the Rwandan government,and that the leader of M23, Bosco Ntaganda, be arrested. Ten days later,the aid cuts began, eventually totaling over $400 million and forcing M23 to finally retreat from Goma and attend peace talks.

Two months later, Bosco Ntaganda, M23's leader, surrendered.

When M23 took up arms again, the UN appointed former Irish President Mary Robinson as the UN Special Envoy. She was immediately dispatched to the war region.

Last month, we told you about rumorsthat Russ Feingold would soon partner with Robinson and fill a U.S. Envoy spot.

Today we can finally celebrate, as former Senator Russ Feingold begins his first day as the U.S. Special Envoy to Congo and the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Congo deserves diplomacy at the highest level, led by a talented statesman who will reverse the West's historic relationship with the Congolese people, moving from exploitation to partnership.

100,000 whistleblowers worldwide aredemanding it, and our government has responded.

Well done.

In celebration of five years of tireless work, we proudly re-introduce the Bronze Whistle available now for a limited time only.

Wear your protest. Get yours onStore.FallingWhistles.com.

Be a whistleblower for peace.