The AFC/M23 movement and the Congolese government have signed a formal agreement that sets up a joint team to monitor and verify the permanent ceasefire between the two conflicting parties. ALSO READ: Ceasefire tops the agenda as Kinshasa, AFC/M23 resume peace talks The signing took place on Tuesday, October 14, in Doha, Qatar, which has mediated the peace talks since April. The signing of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism marks a step toward enforcing the long-awaited ceasefire, raising hopes for an end to years of armed conflict in eastern DR Congo. It builds on the July 19 Declaration of Principles between the two parties and provides a structured framework to monitor, verify, and report adherence to the truce. According to the signed document, the mechanism will operate as an impartial body composed of equal representatives from both DR Congo government and the AFC/M23. It will also include observers from the African Union (AU), the State of Qatar, and the United States to strengthen transparency and international confidence in the process. https://x.com/LawrenceKanyuka/status/1978072757809066311 The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), through its Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), will serve as the coordinating entity. A new body, known as EJVM+, will be established to include representatives from both parties, ensuring balanced participation. The United Nations mission in Congo (MONUSCO) will join as an additional participant, mainly to provide logistical coordination and operational support. “The mission of the mechanism is to oversee the implementation of the permanent ceasefire, investigate and verify any alleged violations, and take necessary measures with the concerned parties to prevent further breaches,” read part of the document. The EJVM+ will be responsible for investigating all alleged ceasefire violations, collecting and documenting evidence, and issuing weekly reports summarizing verified incidents. Speaking to The New Times about the significance of the document, AFC/M23 spokesperson, Oscar Balinda, reiterated that the rebels are ready to fulfill their part of the agreement, emphasizing that the next step now lies in the hands of the Congolese authorities. “We are fully committed to implementing our part, and we hope the Congolese government will do the same, despite its well-known history of failing to honor agreements it has entered into,” Balinda said. The AFC/M23 has previously accused the Congolese government and its allied forces, including Burundian troops, foreign mercenaries, the Congolese-backed Rwandan genocidal militia FDLR, as well as Wazalendo and Mai Mai militias of carrying out attacks on rebel-held areas and civilian-populated regions. Balinda added that the movement joined the discussions voluntarily and in good faith, expressing hope for the implementation of the signed mechanism by both sides. “Only then can we end the use of military means and engage in meaningful talks to understand the root causes of the issues in eastern DR Congo and make further progress in the Qatar-facilitated negotiations,” he added. The Congolese government said it was committed to the cessation of hostilities and would prepare the conditions for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement. The mediators and observers also commended Tuesday's signing. Massad Boulos, the US President's Special Advisor for Africa, said the signing was a critical step that brings the two parties closer to a peace agreement. We thank Qatar for its leadership in facilitating this process and look forward to supporting its full implementation to achieve lasting peace and stability in eastern [DR Congo], Boulos said.
