This is another great trial to promote the peace process in eastern Congo. The government of Congo needs to encourage peaceful discourse.
DRC: Armed groups sign their own “death certificate”
Eighteen rebel and self-defence militia groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed an agreement on 18 April to dissolve their organisations, although some expressed concern that the grievances that led them to take up arms had not been fully addressed.
The agreement follows a series of undertakings aimed at restoring peace to the region’s restive Kivu provinces, a process that has already seen thousands of fighters integrated into the national army.
“In this declaration all the groups clearly announced that they no longer exist,” said Apollinaire Malumalu, the coordinator of the committee that is following up progress on the various peace accords.
“From now on, former fighters who integrate into civilian life will use peaceful means to express themselves,” he said.
Comments