M23 rebels threaten to suspend ceasefire efforts if Kinshasa fails to release prisoners by Sunday, accusing the Congolese government of blocking peace.
The M23 rebel group has threatened to withdraw from a ceasefire agreement if the Congolese government fails to release its prisoners by Sunday, warning that Kinshasa, not the rebels, would be responsible for the collapse of peace efforts.
Speaking at a news conference in Goma on Friday, M23 leaders reaffirmed their interpretation of the Washington Agreement, signed last month between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The deal, brokered by the United States, calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops within 90 days, the dismantling of FDLR militia support, and the establishment of joint security and regional integration frameworks.
Benjamin Mbonimpa, Permanent Secretary of AFC-M23 and head of the rebel delegation to Doha, said the group would fully comply with the ceasefire if Kinshasa meets its commitments. “If our prisoners are released within the 10-day deadline, we will invite the Joint Verification Mechanism to oversee the ceasefire,” he said. “If not, Kinshasa will be the one blocking progress, not us.”
The remarks come just days after M23 and Congolese officials signed a separate Declaration of Principles in Doha on July 19, which outlines a formal peace process to be completed by August 18.
The Congolese government and Rwandan authorities have not publicly responded to the latest statements, leaving several key issues unresolved, including timelines for troop withdrawals, prisoner exchanges, and the broader enforcement of ceasefire terms in eastern Congo.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that its Navy had struck U.S. military barracks, a satellite communications centre and a Patriot missile battery in Bahrain, while its Aerospace Force targeted an airbase in Jordan.
A newly introduced refereeing protocol has intensified debate over fairness at the FIFA World Cup, with another controversial decision involving defending champions Argentina fuelling criticism from fans and former officials.
A United Nations official has accused Hamas of interfering with humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, adding further pressure on civilians already facing severe shortages and worsening living conditions.
Australia's internet safety regulator has accused some of the world's biggest technology companies of failing to do enough to combat child sexual abuse and the growing threat of online sexual extortion.
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