UN envoy: Nkunda no 'beast'

2008-11-17 22:35

London - Democratic Republic of Congo rebel leader Laurent Nkunda is not "a beast" and can be persuaded to take steps toward peace, the UN special envoy to the troubled country said in comments broadcast on Monday.

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo met Nkunda Sunday and has said the rebel leader wants peace talks amid fighting between government forces and Nkunda's CNDP.

An estimated 250 000 people have been displaced by the conflict and aid organisations warn that their plight is worsening.

Obasanjo was asked by BBC radio whether he could put pressure on Nkunda to stop the advance.

"I don't like the word pressure, I like the word persuasion. I believe he's a reasonable man that can listen and react to persuasion," he said.

"From what I saw of him today, he's not a beast that people would want us to believe he is."

He also played down expectations of immediate results following his visit.

"You don't come on one visit and bring about solution to a problem that has been there since 1960," he said.

"That problem is still here today and you think that one visit will solve it? Anyone who would bring that about would be god."

He added that Hutu militia "should be flushed out", adding that Rwanda and DR Congo "maybe... have new impetus to do it".

- AFP