Angola Facilitates Ceasefire Agreement between DRC and Rwanda
In a breakthrough move, Angola has announced a ceasefire agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, bringing hope to the volatile region. The deal was facilitated by a meeting between the foreign ministers of Rwanda and DRC, hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the presidential palace in Luanda.
The agreement comes amid long-standing tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the DRC accusing Rwanda of backing M23 rebels fighting the army in North Kivu province. Rwanda, however, has denied these allegations. The recent suspension of hostilities is set to come into effect from midnight on August 4, as a partially respected humanitarian truce between the M23 and government forces expires.
A report commissioned by the UN Security Council found that between 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers were fighting alongside the M23, with Kigali exerting "de facto control" over the group’s operations. The ceasefire agreement is still unclear in terms of which parties have agreed to lay down their arms.
The DRC’s mineral-rich east has been ravaged by conflict for over 30 years, with multiple armed groups, including M23 rebels, responsible for the displacement of millions. The United Nations estimates that over 1.7 million people have been displaced by fighting in North Kivu province alone, pushing the total number of displaced persons in the country to over 7 million.
The Angola-brokered ceasefire agreement marks a significant step towards peace in the region, offering a glimmer of hope to those affected by the ongoing conflict. However, it remains to be seen which parties will adhere to the agreement and work towards a lasting resolution to the crisis.
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Angola Facilitates Ceasefire Agreement between DRC and Rwanda
A landmark deal brokered by Angola seeks to bring peace to the volatile region.
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