Uneasy calm returns to DRCongo capital as opposing fighters agree to withdraw

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

KINSHASA (AFP) — Forces loyal to Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba signed a deal to withdraw from the centre of Kinshasa after two days of artillery fighting that left at least eight dead.

The deal called for several "actions with immediate effect", including "the order for all troops of the DRC armed forces deployed in the capital (to return) to their initial positions".

International peacekeeping forces on Tuesday rushed reinforcements to Kinshasa as foreign governments appealed for an end to fighting that broke out after the release of provisional presidential election results Sunday, setting Kabila and Bemba up for a second round run-off.

The European peacekeeping force EUFOR, which engaged...