The White House announced on Wednesday that a humanitarian truce in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended by 15 days until 11:59 p.m. local time on August 3.
The extension of the humanitarian truce in Congo comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict between government troops and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
It underscores the collaborative efforts of regional governments, including the DRC and Rwanda, in negotiating a durable cessation of hostilities.
This extension is aimed at facilitating peace talks and intensifying humanitarian efforts in the conflict-affected regions, with the goal of alleviating suffering and fostering long-term stability.
For over two years, North Kivu province has been grappling with the M23 insurgency along with other militia violence.
Rwanda has been accused by Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers of backing M23 by providing troops and weapons, charges that Rwanda has consistently denied.
Congo has been accused by Rwanda of allegedly providing financial support and military collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group active in the eastern region.
The FDLR’s attacks on Tutsis in both nations have intensified bilateral tensions and regional conflict dynamics.
The M23 rebels claim their objective is to safeguard Tutsis from factions such as the FDLR, composed of Hutu extremists who sought refuge in Congo following their involvement in the 1994 genocide targeting Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda.
“We pledge to collaborate with the governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to utilize this extension of the truce for establishing a set of actions aimed at achieving a lasting end to hostilities,” stated Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, in a statement.
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