Blitz Bureau
CONGO and Rwanda-backed rebels have signed a declaration of principles for a permanent ceasefire in eastern Congo, where ethnic tensions and quest for rich minerals have resulted in one of Africa’s longest conflicts with thousands killed this year.
The African Union called the signing of July 19, facilitated by Qatar, a “major milestone” in peace efforts. Qatari authorities said it paves the way for “a comprehensive peace that addresses the deep-rooted causes of the conflict.” But both sides appeared to contradict each other in interpreting a major highlight of the declaration.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the declaration takes into account “the non-negotiable withdrawal” of the rebels from seized territories, including the biggest city of Goma. The M23 rebels denied this, with a spokesman telling The Associated Press: “We are in Goma with the population and we are not going to get out.”
The declaration of principles was the first direct commitment by both sides since the rebels, supported by neighboring Rwanda, seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance early this year.
In it, both parties committed to “building trust” through various measures, including an exchange of prisoners and detainees as well as restoring state authority in all parts of the country, including rebel-held areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been mentioned as a key party in facilitating such release, said after the signing that it “stands ready to help.”
The signing sets in motion negotiations for a final peace deal, to be signed no later than August 18. It also reflects provisions of a U.S.-brokered peace deal signed between Congo and Rwanda on June 27.
Both the U.S.-facilitated and Qatarled peace talks are aligned, and the Congolese and Rwandan presidents are soon expected in Washington to finalise negotiations for ending the conflict.
The conflict can be traced to the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, when Hutu soldiers and militias killed between 500,000 and 1 million minority Tutsis as well as moderate Hutus and the Indigenous Twa. When Tutsi-led rebels stopped the genocide and ousted the Hutu government, nearly 2 million Hutus fled into neighboring Congo, fearing reprisals.
