DRC Government and M23 Rebels Agree on Civilian Protection and Aid Delivery Measures

DRC Rebels Agree to Ceasefire Oversight Protocol with Government

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels have reached an agreement on a ceasefire oversight protocol, according to a joint statement released by the US Department of State on Saturday. The announcement follows five days of talks in Switzerland.

As part of the agreement, both sides pledged not to target civilians and to facilitate medical care for the wounded and sick. They also agreed to release prisoners within 10 days as part of efforts to build confidence between the parties.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding for a ceasefire monitoring mechanism that will conduct surveillance, monitoring, verification, and reporting on the implementation of the permanent ceasefire. The agreement aims to ensure the principled delivery of humanitarian assistance within the territories impacted by the conflict.

In addition, both sides agreed to ease aid deliveries and release prisoners as part of efforts to continue building confidence. Humanitarian organizations have been working to provide aid to civilians in need, but access has been limited due to ongoing fighting.

The agreement comes after a series of peace talks held in Switzerland, which included representatives from Qatar, the US, Switzerland, the African Union Commission, and Togo serving as the AU mediator. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have been involved in conflict with the DRC government since 2021, resulting in significant displacement and humanitarian concerns.

The agreement marks a new development in efforts to resolve the years-long conflict in eastern DRC, where more than 30 years of fighting have left the region ravaged.

Source: Al Jazeera