[CNN] Tension loomed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...formerly the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Zaire, and who knows what else, not to be confused with the Brazzaville Congo or
Republic of Congo, which is much smaller and much more (for Africa) stable. DRC gave the world Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Mobutu, followed by years of tedious civil war. Its principle industry seems to be the production of corpses. With a population of about 74 million it has lots of raw material...
city of Goma Monday night as rebel commanders said they would not leave the city despite the approaching midnight deadline imposed by regional leaders and the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
African leaders convened in neighboring Uganda over the weekend and released a statement mandating that the M23 group withdraw at least 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Goma as a condition of initiating negotiations and telling the rebels to "stop all war activities," and "stop talk of overthrowing an elected government."
But M23 leaders on the ground said Monday that they will leave the conflict-scarred city only if talks are successful. Meanwhile,
...back at the Esquimeau village our hero was receiving a quick lesson in aeronautics......
both rebel and government troops were massing west of Goma, potentially leading to further festivities.