By Chris Muhizi for MCN.
The Goma-Kibumba-Rutshuru-Kiwanja-Bunagana and Goma-Sake-Kilolorwe-Kitchanga supply lines in the insecure eastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reportedly seen an increase in patrols this week.
Following a ceasefire between the M23 and the FARDC, the Congolese army, internally displaced people (IDPs) have also used these roads to gradually return to their homes.
This week, the four troop commanders of the EACRF-deployed contingents met with the force’s commander, Maj-Gen Alphaxard Kiugu, to discuss the security situation and the status of the force’s efforts to carry out its mandate in North Kivu, also known as the Joint Operation Area.
Major General Kiugu said, “The situation remains complex with multidimensional issues that need to be handled at different levels.”Additional freedom of movement of persons and commodities will be made possible by the patrols, which will also provide locals with medical care and favorable conditions for humanitarian organizations to provide help to the afflicted community.
However, the situation is still precarious because there are still intermittent conflicts between various armed groups, which is made worse by the ongoing hostilities between M23 and the FARDC, the local army.
In their most recent statement, the M23 accused the local FARDC army of inciting them to violence by deploying agents onto its territory, but they also reaffirmed their dedication to the peace process and direct talks with the DRC government.
Lawrence Kanyuka, the political spokesperson for the M23, stated that the group would fight back against any belligerent actions taken by the DRC government and would continue to ensure that the people in the areas it controls were safe.
At the same time as the government and the parties are being asked to lay down their weapons and travel to a specified cantonment site, the mediators of the East African Community are attempting to reopen a new round of negotiations for peace.