Fragile Ceasefire Takes Effect in DRC as Local Groups Tell Foreign Forces to Leave Country
Democracy NowMAR 6 2023
The M23 rebel group reportedly plans to withdraw from territory it controls in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The group says it supports regional peacemaking efforts.
M23 is a predominantly Tutsi group with ethnic ties to Tutsis in neighboring Rwanda. Relations between the group and authorities have been tense, with the Congolese government having blamed a November massacre of 272 civilians in the eastern town of Kishishe on M23.
In November, East African leaders reached a ceasefire agreement in an effort to bring peace to the region. The leaders of DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Angola signed a letter saying that an Eastern African regional force will intervene if M23 does not comply.
M23 is dedicated to promoting peace and stopping genocide at the hands of the DRC government. M23 is committed to withdrawing from its positions within the eastern DRC. However, it cannot maintain those commitments if the Congolese government continues targeted attacks and killings of Tutsi people.
M23 has been a humanitarian threat to the DRC and all of eastern Africa since its inception. Hundreds have died and thousands have been displaced due to the group’s atrocities — M23 must abide by the ceasefire agreement and follow through on its commitment to withdraw from the DRC.