No ceasefire in Congo despite Luanda deal

The ceasefire negotiated in Luanda between Rwanda and Kinshasa was broken even before it could kick in after violence erupted between the warring sides in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

In spite of committing to a ceasefire from August 4, M23 rebels began advancing and capturing towns in restive region, notably Nyamilima and Ishasha.

According to the UN mission, Monusco, after four weeks of relative cessation of fighting, due to the double “humanitarian truce” proposed by the USA, the rebels have violated their commitments to peace.

“Monusco strongly condemns the violation of the ceasefire of 4 August by the March 23 Movement (M23) with the capture of Ishasha (North Kivu/DRC). This violation compromises stabilisation efforts in the region and runs counter to the agreement signed in Luanda on 30 July 2024,” the peacekeeping mission said in a statement.

The rebels themselves say that they are not “automatically bound by the Luanda negotiations.” They see these negotiations as talks on “a bilateral level between two states — DRC and Rwanda — under the aegis of Angola”.

This explains the resumption of fighting in Kivu.

Source:The East African