The two sides agreed to demand the withdrawal of M23 rebels “from the occupied territories” and “their retreat to their original positions,” Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio said after the talks ended.
The achievement of an agreement for an “immediate ceasefire” from Friday night in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announced this evening the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola after the meeting held in Luanda.
DR Congo President Felix Tshisekendi met in the capital of Angola with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Birunda (in the absence of President Paul Kagami), with the aim of ending hostilities in the eastern part of DR Congo after the wreck of the previous truce agreed last July.
The two sides agreed to demand the withdrawal of M23 rebels “from the occupied territories” and “their retreat to their original positions,” Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio said after the talks ended.
The ceasefire is due to take effect at 6pm (local time) on Friday.
It was also agreed to continue the deployment of East African Community (EAC) forces. The seven EAC member countries (Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania) decided last June to deploy a regional military force in the region. “In the first phase, Kenya will deploy its troops in Goma and subsequently in the cities of Bunagana, Rutsuru and Kiwanja,” the joint communiqué reads.
In the event that the M23 rebels do not comply and withdraw from the territories they hold, the EAC heads of state will instruct the regional military force to oblige them by force.
Also present at the talks in the Angolan capital were Burundian president (and EAC chair) Evariste Dagismige and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta as the EAC mediator for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The eastern part of DR Congo has been plagued by violence for almost 30 years. After a brief lull, the region has been experiencing a resurgence of tensions since late October.
The March 23 Movement (M23) is dominated by members of the Tutsi tribe, particularly ex-servicemen, who revolted in 2012. It was defeated by the armed forces in 2013 but took up arms again late last year, accusing Kinshasa of breached the agreements that provided for the disarmament and social reintegration of its fighters.
The Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, which Kigali has consistently denied but the UN has verified.
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