Luanda, Angola – The United Nations has expressed optimism following a ceasefire agreement reached between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The deal, brokered by Angola, aims to halt hostilities in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday welcomed the development, stating that it could pave the way for a reduction in tensions between the two nations. He expressed hope that the ceasefire would create a conducive environment for internally displaced persons to return to their homes.
The ceasefire was agreed upon during a meeting between DRC and Rwandan foreign ministers in Luanda on Tuesday. The Angolan presidency announced the deal, stating that it would take effect from midnight on August 4.
Angola has been actively mediating the conflict in North Kivu, where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has been engaged in fierce battles with DRC forces since late 2021.
To monitor the ceasefire, a reinforced verification mechanism will be established, according to a statement released after the meeting. This builds upon a previous monitoring system set up by a regional bloc.
The ceasefire comes as a separate humanitarian truce between the M23 rebels and government forces is set to expire on August 3. It remains unclear if the new agreement will supersede or extend the humanitarian truce.
France and Belgium have joined the UN in applauding the ceasefire between Kinshasa and Kigali.
Eastern DRC has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with numerous armed groups vying for control of the region’s rich mineral resources. The ongoing crisis has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and claimed countless lives.
The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has significantly expanded its territory in North Kivu in recent months, following the collapse of Congolese army and allied militia forces. A UN Security Council report implicated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers in fighting alongside the M23 rebels, asserting that Kigali effectively controls the group’s operations.
While Rwandan President Paul Kagame has not explicitly confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops in DRC, he has acknowledged the country’s interest in protecting its borders.
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