Discussions on resolution of DR Congo crisis hits snag at AU summit

ADDIS ABABA

Discussions between the UN and some African states on the resolution of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crisis hit a snag on Monday when member countries declined to sign a political and security framework proposed by the UN to resolve the conflict that has left hundreds of thousands of Congolese homeless.

In a series of intensive closed door meetings between the UN and the Great Lakes region member countries at the just concluded African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the countries declined to sign asking for more time for further consultation

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters after the meeting that although the regional countries agree in principle with the framework, there are some procedural issues that arose leading to the suspension of the signing.

"There is no fundamental difference or objections to the content of the agreement that we are discussing with leaders of eight countries," he said declining to give details of the procedural issues that arose.