Mobutu gives up power

KINSHASA, May 16: Zaire'S ailing President Mobutu Sese Seko, who gave up power today, ending three decades of highly personalised rule over...

KINSHASA, May 16: Zaire8217;S ailing President Mobutu Sese Seko, who gave up power today, ending three decades of highly personalised rule over Africa8217;s third largest nation.

But a government statement said that the veteran leader, fighting cancer and seven months of civil war, would retain the title of President.Laurent Kabila8217;s rebels, who control three-quarters of the shattered, corruption-plagued nation, had yet to comment.

Government spokesman Kin-Kiey Mulumba told a news conference that Mobutu left for his northern jungle palace at Gbadolite, triggering intense speculation that he was going into exile.

8220;The President has ceased all intervention in the affairs of the state,8221; he said.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he said Mobutu8217;s emergency rule Prime Minister, General Likulia bolongo, was in charge.

The Archbishop of Kisangani, Monsignor Laurent Monsengwo, chosen a week ago as mediator, would undertake negotiations with the rebel alliance of laurent Kabila, leading to a new transitional government and later fresh elections, Kin-Kiey said.

Zaire8217;s transitional constitution, the spokesman said, permitted Mobutu to step aside without actually resigning as President.

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Sources in South Africa, whose President Nelson Mandela has been trying to broker a peaceful handover of power in Zaire, expressed initial surprise at Mobutu8217;s handover of power.

Earlier, after a second failed attempt to negotiate an end to Zaire8217;s war, President Mobutu returned on Thursday to his capital fearing a rebel attack and an uprising by government troops.

In Cape Town, Kabila met South African President Nelson Mandela, who was brokering peace talks, in an attempt to stave off a battle for Kinshasa following Wednesday8217;s fiasco in the Congolese port of Pointe-Noire.

From Mandela8217;s comments after the meeting, it had appeared that acceptance of a South African peace proposal was up to Mobutu.

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8220;We are expecting an answer from him on Monday,8221; Mandela said. He would not elaborate on details. But Mobutu gave it to them much before Monday.

Kabila had agreed to wait till Monday and 8220;receive another answer from President Mobutu.8221;

The South African Press Association had published a draft settlement proposed by Mandela that called for President Mobutu to hand over power to a transitional authority within 24 hours after signing.