M23 rebels, controlling key areas in eastern Congo, have agreed to a ceasefire with departing Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers.
This agreement comes as the conflict between the insurgents and the Congolese government persists.
The rebels and SADC forces will jointly work to repair the damaged Goma airport. This will facilitate the orderly withdrawal of the SADC troops from the country.
The SADC mission, comprised of soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, was deployed in 2023.
Their aim was to help Congo’s government stabilize the mineral-rich eastern region plagued by numerous insurgencies.
However, the SADC troops failed to halt rapid advances by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels since January.
These assaults resulted in the capture of significant cities and the deaths of peacekeepers.
This led to dwindling support for the mission from donor nations, prompting the announced withdrawal earlier this month.
While no specific timeline for the withdrawal was given, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka hailed the agreement as “historic.”
He stated it reflects a shared understanding that a political resolution, not military action, is necessary.