US applauds 15-day extension of humanitarian ceasefire in DR Congo
M23 soldiers leave leave Rumangabo camp after the meeting between EACRF officials and M23 rebels during the handover ceremony at Rumangabo camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on January 6, 2023. (Photo by Guerchom Ndebo / AFP) (Photo by GUERCHOM NDEBO/AFP via Getty Images)
The US government has expressed its support for the 15-day extension of the humanitarian ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is now set to expire on August 3 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The pause in fighting comes amid efforts to bring an end to the conflict between government troops and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that the United States is committed to working with the governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to use the truce extension to outline a series of steps to reach a durable cessation of hostilities.
The statement reads, “”The United States welcomes a 15-day extension of the humanitarian truce committed to by the parties to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This extension will be in effect until 11:59pm local time on August 3 and recommits the parties to the conflict to silence their weapons and provide humanitarian personnel unfettered access to vulnerable populations.
“The United States has closely monitored allegations of truce violations since July 5. While the parties to the conflict have largely respected the truce, we condemn the civilian loss of life in Bweremana and will work with the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism to investigate this and other potential violations and to hold parties responsible.
“In support of the Luanda Process, we commit to working with the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to use this truce extension to outline a series of steps to reach a durable cessation of hostilities and set conditions for the voluntary return of displaced populations.”
North Kivu province has been battling the M23 insurgency for more than two years, as well as other militia violence.
The Congolese government, the United Nations, and Western powers have repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with its own troops and weapons, which it denies.
On its part, Rwanda accuses Congo of backing Hutu rebel group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who attack Tutsis, while M23 claims to protect Tutsis from threats, including Hutu extremists who fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.
