The ceasefire agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo forces and M23 rebel group was broken as clashes have intensified in the North East of Goma in DRC.
The East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) said in a statement that on Tuesday 24 October 2023, the ceasefire agreement between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 Armed Group was breached.
“The hostile clashes fatally wounded a Kenyan Peacekeeper stationed at Kanyamahoro, near Kibumba, 15Km North East of Goma. Consequently, investigations to establish circumstances under which this incident occurred have commenced,” a statement reads.
In March this year the chairman of the East African Community Heads of State Summit and Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye hosted in Bujumbura, a meeting of Joint Coordination Mechanism (JCM) for the implementation of ceasefire and withdraw of M23 in Eastern Democratic Republic.
The Summit called for the deployment of the EAC Regional Force Contingents in the multinational sector within Eastern DRC and withdraw of M23 in phases.
Since then member states including South Sudan and Burundi sent in their troops to restore peace and stability and implemented the M23 rebels from captured territories in the Eastern DRC.
“The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) calls for the return to ceasefire agreement and cessation of hostilities between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 Armed Group,” part of the EACRF statement reads.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels who have caused insecurity in the eastern part of DRC by capturing several parts of the country, killing of civilians and causing thousands flee the country.
Allegations that Kigali denies while accusing DRC of trying to cause insecurity in Rwanda and violating its air space and its territorial integrity.
DRC had initially labeled the M23 rebel group as terrorists and repeatedly refused to sit on the same table to negotiate.
