The AFC/M23 rebel movement is using its response to a small Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence of its ability to govern territory under its control, establishing parallel health structures and relying partly on support from neighbouring Rwanda.
The United States imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of supporting Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and fuelling political instability in the country’s troubled east.
More than 200 health facilities in war-hit eastern Congo have run out of medicines due to widespread looting and supply chain disruptions during fighting this year, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday.
A mine collapse in rebel-held eastern DR Congo has left at least 12 people dead, with others managing to escape. The cause of the disaster remains unknown.
Gunfire shook Goma overnight as fighting flared between M23 rebels and pro-government forces.
M23 rebel leaders have arrived in Qatar for further talks with mediators, following an earlier meeting between the presidents of DRC and Rwanda.
Rwanda has expressed support for the M23 rebel group's decision to withdraw from the strategic mining town of Walikale in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for the DRC's commitment to halting hostilities as part of ongoing peace efforts.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced Monday that it will withdraw from peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola. The rebels had planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to resolve the conflict in the country's east.
Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Angola, will start on 18 March in Luanda. The conflict in eastern Congo has displaced thousands.
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