Luanda - The M23 rebel movement operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday accepted the cease-fire in compliance with the decision of the regional mini-summit held Wednesday in the Angolan capital.
In an official statement, to which Angop has had access, the leadership of the 23 March Movement (M23) declares that they accept the ceasefire as it was recommended by the Heads of State who gathered at the Luanda mini-summit.
According to the decisions of the Luanda meeting, the deadline to terminate the conflicts of the armed groups in eastern of DRC, particularly the M23 attacks, ended this Friday, 25, at 18h00 hours (local time).
On his note, M23 requested a meeting with the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, who is the African Union (AU) mediator as well as with the former President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, the facilitator of the East African Community (EAC).
The Luanda mini-summit decided that all arme groups that operate in the eastern region of DRC must cease hostilities, in general and especially M23 attacks.
After ceasing its attacks against the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) And the UN Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), M23 must also unconditionally withdraw from the positions it currently holds.
In case of refusal, the use of force by the EAC would be authorised to “induce” its surrender, reads the final statement of the meeting held in the Angolan capital.
The meeting held at the initiative of the Angolan President, João Lourenço in his capacity of African Union (AU) mediator, decided also the continuation of full deployment of the EAC Regional Force in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.
It has also ordered the termination of all political and military support to M23 and all other local and foreign armed groups operating in eastern DRC and the region, including FDLR-FOCA, RED-TABARA, ADF and others, who must immediately lay down their arms and begin their unconditional repatriation.
The mini-summit also determined to cease all political-military support for M23 and all other local and foreign armed groups operating in eastern DRC and the region, including the FDLR-FOCA, RED-TABARA, ADF and others.
They must immediately lay down their arms and begin their unconditional repatriation, states the communique.
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a Rwandan rebel group based in eastern DRC, like those in Burundian RED-TABARA (Resistance for a Rule of Law in Burundi) and Ugandan ADF (Allied Democratic Forces).
Five days after the end of hostilities, the disarmament and cantonment of the M23 will begin on Congolese territory under the control of the FARDC, the Regional Force and the Ad hoc Verification Mechanism of the Luanda Peace Roadmap with the collaboration of MONUSCO.
Angolan President João Lourenço and his counterparts from DRC, Félix Antoine Tshisékédi and from Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye signed the document adopted at Luanda mini-summit.
Also signing the final communiqué the Rwandan minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, in representation of the Head of State of Rwanda, Paul Kagamé, and the former Kenyan president.
Uhuru Kenyatta participated in the meeting as the EAC´s designated facilitator for the implementation of the Nairobi Process for peace in eastern DRC.
The meeting also had as guests the Special Representative of the the AU Commission president, Ms Michelle Ndiaye, the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Joao Samuel Caholo, and the Commander of the Ad hoc Verification Mechanism of the Luanda Roadmap, Lt. General Nassone João.
The heads of Htate also decided to convene a new mini-summit soon to take place in Bujumbura, Burundi, to assess the implementation of the decisions made, according to the final communiqué.
