DR Congo humanitarian truce extended 15 days

The humanitarian truce between the warring parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been extended for 15 days and is set to expire on August 3, the White House confirmed.

"We commit to working with the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to use this truce extension to outline a series of steps to reach a durable cessation of hostilities," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

The initial truce between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the M23 group was implemented on July 5 to allow humanitarian assistance to reach North Kivu province. The area has seen M23 activity for over two years, as well as other armed groups. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the recent conflict.

Despite the agreement, reports of violations have been made by the DRC starting on 12 July in Masisi, near North Kivu’s capital, reaching Bweremana on July 15. At least four children were reportedly killed.

The DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with its manpower and arms. Meanwhile, Rwanda has accused the DRC of financing a Hutu group, the FDLR, which has attacked Tutsis in both states. M23 claims it is protecting Tutsis from the FDLR. The Hutus and Tutsis have had longstanding tensions, with the latter being subject to genocide by the former in Rwanda in 1994.