Boost DRC peace pact
The latest flare-up in the fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of people have been killed just a week after the signing in the United States of the peace agreement mediated by President Donald Trump, is a major setback.
More than 400 civilians have been slain and 200,000 displaced in South Kivu Province, according to regional officials.
Equally alarmed at the escalation of the violence is United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres. He has condemned the latest bloody offensive by the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23.
Mr Gutteres has warned that the violence risks undermining efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution of the crisis.
The UN chief’s appeal for the cessation of hostilities follows the signing of the US-backed peace accords between the DRC and Rwanda at the White House in Washington, DC. Kinshasa has accused Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels, who control key cities in eastern Congo..
President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing of the peace pact in the US, in his capacity as the chairperson of the East African Community, described it as “a monumental diplomatic milestone” and a decisive step towards lasting peace.
Besides the December 4 Washington accords, the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the DR Congo and M23 was signed on November 15. The United Nations is working with partners to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance, as it continues to support efforts to restore peace.
The DRC government claims the rebels have killed civilians, including women and children, breaching the truce deal. The latest fighting has destroyed infrastructure and driven hundreds from their homes, raising fears of a wider regional war.
This calls for a more aggressive peace effort to stop the further escalation of the conflict. The EAC, to which both DRC and Rwanda belong, must do more to reconcile the warring parties and help restore peace and tranquillity.
