Demokratische Republik Kongo

Officials from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached a draft agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict. The breakthrough, mediated by the US and Qatar, provides for the "disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration" of armed groups fighting in eastern DR Congo.

The text, which builds on a declaration of principles signed in April, "includes provisions on respect for territorial integrity and a prohibition of hostilities" in eastern DRC, according to the statement released by the two nations, as well as the United States and Qatar, which acted as mediators. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will witness the signing in Washington later this month, the statement said.

Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council that the investigation and analysis undertaken by his office, OHCHR, had revealed “an apparent total disregard for the protection of civilians during and after military operations.” 

The Ugandan army said Thursday it had taken control of the Democratic Republic of Congo towns of Kasenyi and Tchomia to “prevent inter-ethnic fighting.”

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced people, Paula Gaviria, said Monday that the resolution of the internal displacement crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) requires the implementation of government-led strategies and policies that address the root causes of the crisis. … “Given the decline in international assistance, the government can no longer afford to outsource its responsibilities towards internally displaced persons and must take the lead in ensuring coordinated, accountable responses to internal displacement throughout its territory.”

The M23-led rebel alliance claims Congo's former leader, Joseph Kabila, is safe in Goma, which is under their control. Kabila is back in the spotlight after criticizing the government of President Felix Tshisekedi. 

Democratic Republic of Congo's Senate has overwhelmingly voted to strip former president Joseph Kabila of his honorific immunity. It follows accusations he backed the M23 rebel group which has seized land in the mineral-rich east of the country with Rwandan support. 

The U.S. is pushing Congo and Rwanda to sign a peace accord at the White House in about two months, accompanied by bilateral mineral deals that would bring billions of dollars of Western investment to the region, President Donald Trump's senior advisor for Africa told Reuters on Thursday.

Hundreds of Congolese soldiers and police officers seeking refuge at the United Nations' base in Goma since the eastern city's capture in January are being transferred to Kinshasa, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to work toward a draft peace agreement by May 2 following months of escalating violence in eastern DRC.