UN Special Envoy Obesanjo Makes the Rounds

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is making his rounds in the region. On Friday, he met with President Joseph Kabila of Congo. He also met with Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, who told him no Angolan troops were in Congo. He plans to meet with Laurent Nkunda as well in an attempt to prepare a way for dialogue between the two gentleman. One should not expect much from these meetings as they almost always deliver less than expected or proclaimed.

Congo's problems are far more profound than shuttle diplomacy on the part of an envoy. The geo-strategic stakes are far too great to be left to talks mediated by an envoy even if it is a former African president.