The M23 rebel group, which has the support of Rwanda, has announced its intention to implement a unilateral ceasefire in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This decision is pending negotiations that are set to take place over the weekend. The rebel group stated that the ceasefire is being put in place for humanitarian reasons and is expected to begin on Tuesday.
The M23 group, along with Rwandan troops, recently took control of the city of Rubare, which is the provincial capital of North Kivu. Although fighting has stopped in this city, which has a population of over one million people, there have been clashes in the neighboring province of South Kivu in recent days.
Despite the M23 group’s announcement, there are still concerns about the situation in the region. The group has stated that it does not intend to take control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, or any other locations. However, last week, the group mentioned that it would “continue the march” towards Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an effort to resolve the conflict, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, are scheduled to meet on Saturday in Tanzania. They will participate in an extraordinary joint summit of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community to try to reach an agreement.
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a region rich in natural resources, including gold, tantalum, and tin, which are used in batteries and electronic devices. The government in Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of trying to exploit these resources, but Rwanda denies this and claims that its actions are necessary to ensure its own safety.
The situation remains complex, with various factors at play. With AFP information.