- The full deployment and total withdrawal of M23 from the current areas they are occupying to the designated cantonment area is good.
- This will usher in the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (PDDRCS).
Image: EACRF
Troops under East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) say they have recorded a month-long of ceasefire between parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC.
This to them is historic as they continue to push rebels from various sites in the troubled Goma region.
Force Commander Maj Gen Jeff Nyagah said the ceasefire has significantly enhanced the withdrawal of M23 from areas of Karuba and Mushaki - proximal to Sake, Neenero, Kirolirwe, Kibirizi, Kitchanga, Rutshuru, Bunagana, Rumangabo, Kibumba and adjacent areas.
“This has been verified and confirmed by the Joint Bureau created for monitoring and verification of ceasefire, withdrawal and human rights abuses,” he said on Monday.
He said the full deployment of troops to the multinational sector in Masisi and Rutshuru territories in North Kivu has created necessary conditions for the reopening Kitchanga-Kirolirwe-Sake-Goma and Bunagana-Rutshuru-Rumangabo-Goma Main Supply Routes resulting to the free movement of people and goods.
Maj Gen Ngagah maintained that EACRF has continually engaged both the political, military and local leadership at the strategic, operational and tactical levels towards creating a cohesive working relationship.
“EACRF remains resilient, committed and determined towards the restoration of peace and stability in Eastern DRC and shall continue to uphold and respect the DRC constitution, sovereignty, territorial integrity and its people," he said.
The full deployment and total withdrawal of M23 from the current areas they are occupying to the designated cantonment area will usher in the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (PDDRCS).
Present during the press briefing was Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism Chair Lt Gen Nassone João and the Deputy Force Commander Brig Emmanuel Kaputa in charge of Intelligence and Operations, Deputy Force Commander in charge of Administration and Logistics Brig Ndorarigonya Gregoire, Head of the EAC-Monitoring and Verification Mechanism Brig Elie Ndizigiye, EACRF Senior Staff Officer and Officers.
The troops from regional countries are in the area to help fight various rebel groups that have been terrorizing locals. The grounds include M23.
The M23, which is waging its most sustained offensive since capturing swathes of territory in 2012-13, has been accused of flouting a ceasefire process and summarily executing civilians.
The unrest has spurred anti-Rwandan sentiment in Congo and local opposition to a U.N. peacekeeping mission.