US 'disappointed' by 'lack of progress' in December Congo agreement

WASHINGTON, March 29 (KUNA) -- The US expressed disappointment Tuesday over the "lack of progress" in the implementation of the December 31 Saint-Sylvestre Political Agreement in the Congo, according a State Department Memo.
"We are concerned by the inability of both the Government of the DRC and the leaders of the opposition Rassemblement coalition to make the compromises necessary to enact pre-agreed provisions of the agreement, including the appointment of a Prime Minister," said Mark Toner in the statement.
The agreement prescribed the formation of a new government that would "pave the way for elections and the DRC's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power through the expressed will of the Congolese people," he asserted. "Failure to move ahead with the accord clearly thwarts the will of the Congolese people and jeopardizes the progress achieved thus far." The US urged both sides to refrain from any statement that could incite violence. (end) ak.gta