Regional Forces In DR Congo Mark One-Month Ceasefire

The East African Community, EAC regional forces have been marking one month since the start of a ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of Congo army and M23 rebels.

“The ceasefire has significantly enhanced withdrawal of M23 from areas they occupy,” the Kenyan commander of the regional force, Gen Jeff Nyagah said.

Meanwhile, Rebel spokesman Willy Ngoma said that M23 fighters were going to areas marked out for the group as part of the peace process by regional leaders.

However, serious concerns remain about whether peace will last in the east of the country.

M23 insists it will not disarm unless the government agrees to direct dialogue, something President Félix Tshisekedi has ruled out.

Report says M23 began regrouping early last year, a decade after disarming as part of the peace agreement and starting capturing territory in North-Kivu province.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians who then fled their homes remain in camps as they fear returning until their security is guaranteed.

Largely made up of Congolese army deserters, the M23 first took up arms in 2009 accusing the government of marginalising the country’s ethnic Tutsi minority and failing to honour previous peace accords.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere