The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), has called on the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 Armed Group to return to ceasefire agreement and cessation of hostilities.
In a statement released on Thursday, EACRF pointed out that the ceasefire agreement between the FARDC and the M23 rebels was again breached on Tuesday, October 24.
The statement from he regional force noted that the consequent hostile clashes fatally wounded a Kenyan Peacekeeper stationed at Kanyamahoro, near Kibumba, 15 kilometers northeast of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province.
The Regional force pointed out that investigations to establish circumstances under which this incident occurred have commenced.
“The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) calls for the return to the ceasefire agreement and cessation of hostilities between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 Armed Group. EACRF remains committed to the Protection of Civilians in line with its mandate.” the statement further read.
M23 rebels clashed with government soldiers in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, despite a cease-fire due to take effect.
In March this year, the rebel group declared a cease-fire to pave the way for dialogue with the DR Congo government.
The cease-fire announcement came after several days of clashes between government forces and the rebels in the eastern region of the country.
Due to escalating insecurity in Norther Kivu, the World Food Program (WFP) announced on Wednesday October 25 the suspension of its distributions in the territory of Nyiragongo following the outbreak of fighting between armed groups in this region near Goma.
Sources on the ground say that this situation could worsen the already precarious living conditions of the displaced, particularly with regard to accommodation and health care, deplored the president of the displaced people of Kanyarutchinya.
While it was in the middle of distributing food aid in the Kanyaruchinya sites, where 117,000 people were expected, the WFP said it was obliged to suspend its activities until further notice.
This decision is linked to the clashes which have resumed for several days in this region of Nyiragongo, around ten km from Goma.
The WFP indicates that it has reached half of the people targeted in the Kanyarutshinya and Munigi camps, which for years have housed people who have fled conflicts in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru.
According to Theo Musekura, president of the displaced, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated considerably due to the current rainy season.
“Thousands of displaced people are exposed to bad weather and diseases following heavy rains which destroy their shelters and cause other material damage. “ he added.
Added to this is the permanent insecurity and clashes which have caused several deaths among the displaced and forced others to wander here and there.
North Kivu currently has around 2.4 million displaced people, specifies the WFP.
