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DRC ceasefire for humanitarian aid is a small step forward – what must happen next for peace

DRC ceasefire for humanitarian aid is a small step forward – what must happen next for peace

THE United States has negotiated a truce so humanitarian assistance can be given to more than seven million people, including children, caught in the grip of the conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initial cessation of hostilities was for two weeks. It was extended by a further two weeks. Armed conflicts and other forms of violence have triggered wave after wave of internal refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More recently, fighting between government troops and the M23 rebels has trapped millions in and around Goma, the main eastern city.…
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UN sanctions six Congo rebels as fighting in east escalates

UN sanctions six Congo rebels as fighting in east escalates

THE United Nations Security Council sanctioned six people from five armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as violent clashes escalated in the region between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 Tutsi-led rebels. The fighting, in a war that has lasted decades, has increased the risk of an all-out conflict between Congo and Rwanda that could suck in neighbours and regional forces including South Africa, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. "The United States firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and lasting peace for all Congolese people. Rwanda and the DRC must walk back from the…
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Over 1,000 Burundian soldiers covertly deploy in eastern Congo, internal UN report says

Over 1,000 Burundian soldiers covertly deploy in eastern Congo, internal UN report says

OVER 1,000 Burundian troops have been covertly deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since October, wearing the uniform of Congolese troops and working alongside them in the fight against M23 rebels, an unpublished U.N. report seen by Reuters showed. Citing security and intelligence sources and sources close to Congolese army command, the report by the U.N. Group of Experts in Congo said the troops were airlifted from Burundi to eastern Congo by Congolese army planes starting from Sept. 21. The Burundian and Congolese governments and the Congolese army did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Reuters.…
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Congo registers voters in unstable eastern province

Congo registers voters in unstable eastern province

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo's electoral commission started registering voters this week in North Kivu province, where a rebel insurgency has raised concerns about the state's ability to hold elections there in December. Parts of North Kivu province are occupied by the M23 rebel group, a Tutsi-led militia that has been clashing with the Congolese army for almost a year. More than 500,000 people have been forced to flee their homes because of fighting. "We are confident that even these Congolese will have the right to register," said Paul Mohindo, deputy rapporteur of the Congolese electoral commission, who travelled from Kinshasa…
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M23 rebels declares unilateral ceasefire

M23 rebels declares unilateral ceasefire

THE M23 rebel group has declared a unilateral ceasefire after several days of clashes with the army in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), its spokesman said in a statement. The group said it was seeking dialogue with the government and that it had withdrawn its troops from the combat zone in order to avoid new confrontations with the Congolese army. DRC's army spokesman and government spokesman could not be reached immediately for comment. Heavy fighting broke out on Monday after the M23 attacked two Congolese army positions near the borders with Uganda and Rwanda and advanced on nearby towns,…
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