Rwanda, DR Congo agree to end hostilities

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have signed a deal to end hostilities, the UN radio said Friday.

The cease-fire deal signed by the foreign ministers of both countries will ensure the immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels from the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The foreign ministers met on Thursday evening in Luanda, the capital of Angola, where they signed the agreement, the UN said citing a press release they received.

The countries have been working on restoring their diplomatic relations which deteriorated following the war between the Democratic Republic of the Congo army and the M23 rebel group.

The M23 was defeated by the Democratic Republic of the Congo army and UN forces in 2013. But in November 2021, it began to regroup.

This cease-fire agreement has been signed after nearly two weeks of relative calm observed in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Despite this lull, the local population is still reluctant to return to their surroundings for fear of possible attacks.

Recent fighting between the country's army and rebels have led to 30,000 local people fleeing to bordering Uganda.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a charge which has been denied by Rwanda.

East African countries made up of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June resolved to send a joint force to fight M23 rebels.