ZAIRE: KINSHASA: PRESIDENT MOBUTU RETURNS

(10 May 1997) Natural Sound

Zaire's President Mobutu Sese Seko returned to the capital Kinshasa Saturday from Gabon.

His return just followed South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki's announcement that Mobutu had agreed to discuss a transition of power with Zairian rebel chief Laurent Kabila.

Mbeki said the meeting between the two leaders would take place on Wednesday aboard a South African ship in Pointe Noire, Congo - where the two met a week ago.

Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko flew back to Kinshasa from Gabon, where it was disclosed he would meet rebel leader Laurent Kabila to discuss the transition of power.

South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki announced the second round of talks between Mobutu and Kabila after meeting the Zairian president in Libreville, Congo.

Mbeki said the discussions - due to take place in Congo Wednesday - should resolve the questions of leadership transition and Mobutu's future.

He said Kabila had agreed to the meeting on Friday.

Following Mbeki's announcement, the ailing Mobutu boarded his plane and returned to Kinshasa.

His departure from Libreville dispelled speculation that he would go into exile from Gabon rather than return home and confront the rebels.

Since it first emerged publicly last September, Kabila's Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire has seized three-fourths of Zaire.

The guerrilla chief announced Saturday from his headquarters in Lubumbashi that his troops were closing in on the capital.

While he acknowledged there has been international pressure for him to halt the advance, Kabila gave mixed signs about whether he would comply.

Mobutu has agreed to long-delayed elections and admitted he is too ill to be a candidate.

He ordered his army earlier this week to prepare for elections.

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