The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebel delegates have met in Geneva to try to end a war that has devastated the east of the country, as fighting shifts into remote highland areas that are difficult to access and increasingly dangerous, despite repeated ceasefire efforts.
The ninth round of peace talks aims to end the ongoing conflict in the country’s east. Fighting is currently centred around the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, where the M23 armed group has seized territory and the Congolese army and its allies are trying to push it back.
Aid organisations say they must seek security guarantees from armed groups to access the areas where fighting is taking place, with some refusing to let humanitarian workers pass.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning that civilians in Ituri Province face growing danger and displacement.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said humanitarian agencies are “deeply concerned by the impact of continued violence on civilians”. Clashes between armed groups in March have killed at least 21 people and forced
The M23 rebel group has called for direct peace talks with the Congolese government after seizing Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province.
In a statement, M23 said its forces entered the city to “restore security” and “assist the population”, accusing government troops of abandoning their positions after
Several months have passed since the signing of peace agreements in the U.S. and the Qatari capital, Doha, that were intended to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. Yet, residents say the accords have failed to alter the battlefield situation.
The U.S.
Displaced People from North Kivu.