East DRC militias lay down arms (peace in DRCongo? wow)

[uppityperson]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5219076.stm

One of the last obstacles to peaceful elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday has been removed. The three main militia groups in the troubled eastern province of Ituri, have agreed to lay down arms and begin integrating into the Congolese army.

The Sunday poll will be the first democratic elections in the country for more than 40 years. The deal between rebels and the government, it is hoped, will allow tens of thousands of people to vote. Many refugees are displaced and living in camps or in the jungles.

In return for an amnesty from prosecution for crimes against the state a coalition of rebel groups, known as the MRC, have agreed to facilitate the free movement of people on polling day and eventually become part of the Congolese army.

In the past few weeks tens of thousands of people have fled their homes to escape fighting between the Congolese army and militia in Ituri, one of the most troubled but also mineral rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Exactly how routes will be secured to enable people to vote has yet to be made public. But Ambassador Haile Menkerios from the UN's peace team, who helped broker the deal, described it as a morale boost to the population ahead of historic elections.