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| M23 Labels in Goma, North Kivu in DRC |
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a peace agreement with the M23 rebels in Nairobi.
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| President Joseph Kabila of DR Congo |
The deal is based on an earlier consensus reached in the Kampala peace process. It brings to an end the most serious rebellion in the DRC over the past two decades. And it comes a month after the Congolese army defeated the M23 in the country’s east.
A joint communique issued by the two sides says the agreement comprises two declarations and 11 points. The documents include a pledge by the M23 to end all armed activities and transform itself into a political party.
The deal also features measures aimed at achieving long term stability, reconciliation and development in the eastern DRC. They include an amnesty to M23 members only for acts of war or insurgency and the demobilisation of former M23 members.
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| President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda |
M23 is the latest incarnation of the Tutsi-led insurgents who have battled Congo's government in its mineral-rich eastern region since 1996, in an evolving conflict that has caused the deaths of millions from violence, hunger and disease.
“Today the DRC (Congo) government and M23 have respectively signed declarations reflecting the consensus reached during the Kampala Dialog on steps necessary to end the armed activities of the M23,” said a joint communique.
“Today the DRC (Congo) government and M23 have respectively signed declarations reflecting the consensus reached during the Kampala Dialog on steps necessary to end the armed activities of the M23,” said a joint communique.
Two declarations were signed which together comprise 11 points agreed on by the parties, said the communique, signed by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and President Joyce Banda of Malawi.
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| President Joyce Banda of Malawi |
These include a decision by the M23 to end the rebellion and transform itself into a political party, an amnesty to M23 members only for acts of war or insurgency and the demobilization of former M23 members.
It included agreement on the release of those held by Congo for war or rebellion and called for the return of those displaced by fighting. It also called for the formation of a committee to handle property and land that was confiscated, stolen or destroyed.
The M23 has battled Congo’s government for control of the mineral-rich east since 1996. Over that period, the conflict has caused the deaths of millions from violence, hunger and disease.
