EAC: Kenya, Rwanda Request M23 Ceasefire, Withdrawal From East Congo

The East African Community (EAC) bloc on Friday said Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta have agreed on the need for M23 rebels to cease fire and withdraw from captured territories in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported The TRT World.

In a statement released on Friday, the EAC said Kenyatta, who has been mediating peace talks between DRC and rebel groups, met with the displaced people in capital Kinshasa and eastern areas where M23 rebels drew closer, and later agreed with Kagame on the need for an immediate ceasefire.

As per the statement, Kagame and Kenyatta will together urge the M23 to surrender and withdraw from captured territories.

Angola’s President Joao Lourenco arranged for a first meeting between DR Congo and Rwanda authorities earlier this month.

“It is encouraging to see Paul Kagame recognise that he can influence the M23,” DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi’s deputy spokesperson told Reuters.

Notably, in recent weeks, the M23 militants have made considerable gains and come closer towards Goma as fighting with government forces intensifies.

Formed in 2012, the M23 rebels seized vast swathes of territory including Goma before they were chased out by the DRC and United Nations forces into Uganda and Rwanda the following year.

In 2013, the M23 signed a peace deal after which many of its fighters were integrated into the DRC army. But, the armed group resumed fighting again in late 2021. Their latest attack in October killed hundreds of people and displaced nearly 200,000.

The unrest has sparked diplomatic tensions between DRC and Rwanda, which DRC accuses of backing the group. Rwanda denies the accusation. There have been regional and international efforts to ease tensions and restore security in the country.

The EAC statement said that modalities will be discussed during the second round of talks in Angola’s capital Luanda next week.