DR Congo Rivals Pledge to Safeguard Civilians as Peace Talks Advance
The DRC government and M23 rebels have committed to protecting civilians and ensuring aid deliveries as they make progress on a ceasefire oversight protocol, following negotiations in Switzerland.
In a significant development, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have pledged to prioritize the protection of civilians and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, following recent talks held in Switzerland.
The two sides made this commitment as part of a broader agreement reached during the negotiations, which also saw progress on the establishment of a protocol for monitoring any future ceasefire.
The talks, which took place under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC), represent a critical step forward in efforts to address the long-running conflict in the eastern DRC, where the M23 rebels have been engaged in clashes with the Congolese army.
The protection of civilians has long been a major concern in the region, with both government forces and rebel groups often accused of committing atrocities against the local population. The commitment made by the DRC government and M23 to safeguard civilians is, therefore, a welcome development and could pave the way for more effective humanitarian aid delivery.
Source: Al Jazeera
