REUTERS/Djaffar Sabiti/File Photo KINSHASA, Nov 23 (Reuters) – African leaders have declared a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo starting Friday, which is aimed in particular at stopping attacks by the M23 rebel group, they said in a statement. The declaration was issued by the leaders of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Angola, and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, after a summit in Luanda on Wednesday aimed at finding solutions to the east Congo crisis. Eastern Congo is facing an insurgency by the M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group which the Congolese government claims is supported by neighbouring Rwanda. “If M23 does not withdraw the East African Community (EAC) heads of states shall authorize use of force to compel the group to comply,” it said. Despite billions of dollars spent on one of the United Nations’ largest peacekeeping forces, more than 120 armed groups continue to operate across large swathes of eastern Congo.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 24, 2022 07:36 UTC