The DR Congo army has successfully repelled advances by M23 rebels, pushing them back to Mpofi. A roadmap for peace, developed by EAC and SADC ministers, aims to foster dialogue and humanitarian access without directly acknowledging Rwanda’s support for M23. Critical evaluations of the situation will be conducted to ensure compliance with ceasefire agreements in the region.
The Congolese army and allied forces have successfully halted advances by M23 rebels in Walikale-Centre. Military reinforcements from Bunia enabled troops to push the rebels back to Mpofi, located 52 kilometers from the center on March 17. As a result of the military intervention, calm was restored in the area by March 18, although heavy military presence persists and civilian activity is minimal.
Many residents have fled Walikale-Centre, seeking refuge in nearby villages along the national highway to Kisangani. The villages accommodating displaced individuals include Losso, Mungele, Tingitingi, Lubutu Mubi, Ndjingala, Lobu, and Makana, situated at the border between North Kivu and Maniema.
On March 17, ministers from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare to establish a roadmap for resolving the Eastern DR Congo conflict, intentionally omitting direct mention of Rwanda’s support for M23. This roadmap outlines urgent and long-term measures to address the ongoing rebellion.
Key proposals include initiating military-level dialogues for an unconditional ceasefire, halting further territorial expansion, ensuring humanitarian access, and reopening Goma and Kavumu airports. A verification mechanism comprising SADC and EAC representatives will oversee the implementation and adherence to ceasefire arrangements.
A technical evaluation team of 12 to 16 experts will be formed to assess the security and humanitarian conditions in North Kivu and South Kivu, focusing on the state of critical infrastructures. This collaborative effort aims to enhance monitoring of ceasefire compliance and the overall humanitarian landscape.
While the communiqué sidestepped acknowledging Rwanda’s role in supporting M23, reports from multiple United Nations sources indicate the involvement of the Rwandan military alongside M23 forces in territorial conflicts within North Kivu. The eastern DR Congo has grappled with instability for decades, significantly intensified by tensions following the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The Congolese army’s successful halt of M23 rebel advances highlights the urgency of military interventions in conflict zones. The established roadmap by EAC and SADC ministers aims to foster peace through dialogue and humanitarian access while attempting to address the broader regional dynamics influencing the conflict. Monitoring mechanisms will be crucial for ensuring compliance with ceasefire agreements in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the eastern DR Congo.
Original Source: humanglemedia.com
