The meeting aimed to establish a schedule for the implementation of “priority actions”, with a view to the cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of the M23 forces from the occupied places, and the coordination of the processes for the solution of the conflict.

Angola hosted last Wednesday a mini-summit headed by President João Lourenço, appointed as mediator to promote dialogue between Luanda and the neighboring Republic of Rwanda.

The meeting was attended by Évariste Ndayishimiye, president of Burundi and acting head of the East African Community, and the president of the Democratic Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, among other political personalities. A statement was issued afterwards calling for a ceasefire starting this Friday night.

The ceasefire would be followed by a withdrawal of rebel forces from the towns of Bunagana, Rutshuru and Kinwanja under their control.

Jean Claude Mbambaze, president of the Rutshuru civil society, said he was satisfied with the agreement signed, but expressed pessimism about its implementation, mainly because it is not the first of its kind. “There have been many summits, but the decisions have not been implemented,” he emphasized.

The M23 began its operations in 2012 when it captured the strategic city of Goma, from which they were expelled. It remained silent until last year when they resumed operations after accusing the Congolese authorities of failing to fulfill their commitment to incorporate their members into the National Army.

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