|  | Thursday, 9 September, 1999, 15:50 GMT 16:50 UK Timeline: The conflict in the DR Congo
 Map showing rebel-held areas (August 1999)
From the dramatic rebel advance to the edge of Kinshasa in August 1998, to the key diplomatic and military initiatives that resulted in a signed ceasefire agreement a year later, BBC News Online charts the complicated course of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with links to the key news stories, analysis, audio and video: August 1999 After a year of thwarted attempts to end the civil war, a major step towards peace is taken as the last rebel group signs up for a ceasefire agreement.
Rebels sign ceasefire at last (31 August)
Analysis: The difficult road ahead Troops from Uganda and Rwanda backing rival rebel factions clash fiercely in the city of Kisangani, prompting frantic diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
Foreign troops clash in Kisangani (15 August)
Crisis talks for former African allies
Analysis: Old alliance under strain
What BBC News Online users think July 1999 Journalists visit Gbadolite, the town hosting the opulent former palace of the late President Mobutu, and one of the most recent places to fall to rebels in the north.
Congo's most curious town (26 July)
 Cathy Jenkins reports from Gbadolite A ceasefire is agreed and signed in Lusaka by all sides in the conflict except one of the two main rebel groups, who are locked in a factional dispute and pledge to carry on fighting.
Rumour and gossip at Congo's peace talks
Rebels refuse to sign
Six countries sign accord (11 July)
Main points of peace planJune 1999 Momentum grows towards finding a peaceful settlement to the conflict, despite the capture by rebels of President Kabila's home town.
Congolese rebels control Kabila's home town (8 June)
 President Kabila's battle song, as heard on Congo TV
Mandela calls Congo ceasefire summit (2 June) May 1999 Rebel divisions emerge as the Rwandan-backed RCD rebel group in Goma ousts leader Wamba dia Wamba.
Rwanda declares unilateral ceasefire (28 May)
Congolese rebels appoint new head (19 May)
Kabila 'bombs rebel towns' (12 May) April 1999 An agreement brokered by Colonel Gaddafi is reached in Libya to help end the fighting, but is immediately criticised.
Uganda plays down Sirte agreement (20 April)
Rwanda dismisses Congo peace deal
Kabila hails deal
March 1999 Zimbabwe denies 80 of its soldiers are killed by rebels in fierce fighting in the east, as government forces and their backers seek to halt a rebel advance towards the key diamond-rich town of Mbuji-Mayi. In Kinshasa, Britain becomes embroiled in a spying row after the expulsion of five officials.
Rwanda hails Congo 'victory' (16 March)
Rebel leader John-Pierre Bemba will fight on despite his father's cabinet appointment
Britain recalls ambassador (12 March)
February 1999 Rebels say they have launched a major new offensive on three fronts in the north and the southeast as refugees flee the fighting.
Rebels launch 'major offensive' (16 February) January 1999 There are reports of several massacres, including one of up to 500 civilians over the New Year, as Zimbabwe admits receiving support from other countries in the region.
Zimbabwe names backers in Congo war (8 January)
Congo rebels investigate massacre allegations (6 January)
Nuns report massacre
December 1998 Efforts to halt Africa's "first world war" make little progress at the OAU as rebels accuse Angolan and Zimbabwean troops of launching a counter-offensive in the northwest.
Africa summit ends in deadlock (18 December)
Government offensive in Congo (5 December)
Mugabe defends fighting for Congo (4 December)
Mugabe's unpopular war November 1998 Rwanda acknowledges its forces are fighting on the side of rebels for the first time, as the Ugandan backed MLC make advances in the north. Civilian atrocities in Congo condemned (24 November)
Inconclusive end to Botswana talks
Rwanda finally admits troops in DRC
Allies pledge new offensive (2 November) October 1998 Rebels capture the government stronghold of Kindu in the east as more peace talks break down, this time in Lusaka.
Lusaka peace talks fail (28 October)
Rebels capture Kindu (13 October) September 1998 The capital, Kinshasa, comes close to running out of food, while rebels face defeat in the west and thousands of the rebels who narrowly failed to reach Kinshasa are captured. Despite this rebels in the east are in determined mood.
Addis peace talks break down (12 September)
Kinshasa 'four days from starvation' (9 September)
South Africa shifts position
Rebels 'ready for long war'
Congolese say rebels surrounded in west August 1998 Rebel forces, backed by Rwandan and Ugandan forces make dramatic advances across the country advancing to the gates of the capital, and causing the evacuation of foreigners and diplomats. The intervention of troops from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola turns the tide and the rebels are pushed back.
Angola admits fighting rebels
Rwanda warns it may invade (31 August)
Congo rebels quit Matadi
The BBC's Roger Hearing reports on the fight for Kinshasa
Kinshasa imposes curfew
Congo rebels advance on Kinshasa (22 August)
Kabila returns to Kinshasa (16 August)
US closes Kinshasa embassy, foreigners evacuate (15 August)
Zimbabwe talks fail to secure ceasefire
Rebels make gains as fighting spreads (6 August)
'Stay out of Congo' - US (5 August)
Fighting rages in rebel-held Bukavu (4 August)
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