March 30 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The East African Community (CAO) has reported this Thursday that the contingents committed by Uganda and South Sudan have been deployed in their entirety to “support the ceasefire and the restoration of peace” between the Congolese Army and the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“The contingents of the republics of Uganda and South Sudan were deployed on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in their respective sectors in eastern DRC,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday, adding that these movements occur for ” verify the withdrawal of all armed groups” in the region.
These troops, in addition to those from Burundi and Kenya, are trying to de-escalate the violence in the North Kivu province to promote a process of talks that is further and further away from taking place, since this March 30 was the deadline set by the CAO of the withdrawal of the M23 from the entire territory.
However, the clashes are still active in the towns towards Kashuga, mainly in Masisi territory, which is why many civilians have fled towards Ihula, Katobo, Masiza or Kalembe. In fact, the day before, the M23 occupied the Congolese city of Mweso, Radio Okapi has reported.
The UN Security Council has called for the cessation of hostilities between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and various armed groups given the increase in violence in the North Kivu and Ituri region.
The M23 has been accused since November 2021 of carrying out attacks against Army positions in North Kivu, despite the Congolese authorities and the M23 signing a peace agreement in December 2013 after fighting since 2012 with the Army, with the support of United Nations troops.
