'The United States welcomes a 15-day extension of the humanitarian truce committed to by the parties to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC]. This extension will be in effect until 11:59 pm local time on August 3 and recommits the parties to the conflict to silence their weapons and provide humanitarian personnel unfettered access to vulnerable populations,' reads a statement released by the Spokesperson of White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson.
'In support of the Luanda Process, we commit to working with the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to use this truce extension to outline a series of steps to reach a durable cessation of hostilities and set conditions for the voluntary return of displaced populations,' he added.
The US has previously concurred that, based on discussions held by Intelligence Chiefs of Rwanda and the DRC in November 2023, FARDC and M23 had agreed to a one-week ceasefire.
This ceasefire, which began on July 5, was originally scheduled to end on July 19, 2024.
Its main aim of the ceasefire was to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians displaced by the conflict. Despite the agreement, there have been reports of ceasefire violations from either warring faction.
On July 14, 2024, M23 spokesperson Lt Col Willy Ngoma announced that a coalition of the DRC government and some affiliated rebel groups had launched an attack on their territories in Kirumbi and Kanyabayonga.
On the other hand, FARDC spokesperson in North Kivu, Lt Col Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, accused M23 rebels of attacking them in parts of Nyange and Mpati, in the western part of Kitshanga, Masisi territory on July 10, 2024.
The United States has repeatedly warned against potential violations and recommended regional mechanisms as key to pacifying Eastern DRC.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/us-welcomes-extension-of-truce-between-m23-rebels-and-fardc
