Truce Extension in Congo Conflict: A Step Toward Peace

A humanitarian truce in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended by 15 days until 11.59 p.m. local time on Aug. 3, the White House said on Wednesday. This move is part of efforts to end the conflict between government troops and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

North Kivu province has been embroiled in battles with the M23 insurgency for more than two years, alongside other militia violence. Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers have repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and weapons, which Rwanda denies.

In response, Rwanda accuses Congo of financing and collaborating with the Hutu rebel group, known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which has a history of attacking Tutsis in both countries. M23 claims to be defending Tutsis from groups like the FDLR, which includes Hutu extremists who fled to Congo after the 1994 genocide.

'We commit to working with the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to utilize this truce extension to outline steps towards a lasting cessation of hostilities,' stated Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.

(With inputs from agencies.)