United States express concern over violations of ceasefire in the Eastern DR Congo by rebel groups

The United States has expressed what is being described as grave concern over the breach of ceasefire agreement in the Eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Violations of the ceasefire started from October 20, 2024 reportedly by the Tutsi-led M23 armed rebel group.

According to the statement from the U.S Department of State, the M23 militias are backed by the Rwandan Government.

The M23 armed group has been sanctioned by both the United States and the United Nations (UN).

The dispatch from the U.S department of State Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, says the M23 group must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from its positions at the Walikale territory in the North Kivu Province of DRC.

“We reiterate our longstanding call for Rwanda to immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defense Force personnel and equipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo, including its surface-to-air missile systems,” reads part of the statement.

The United States also ordered the M23 group and its supporters to cease GPS disruptions in the area.

According to the statement, the Luanda Process led by Angolan President João Lourenço has made important progress, including the operationalization of the Angola-led Reinforced Verification Mechanism; the technical-expert-level agreement on a plan for the FDLR armed group, and the disengagement of uninvited foreign forces from the DRC. 

“We call on all parties to abide by their commitments under the Luanda Process.  All states should respect each other’s sovereignty, protect all civilians, and hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable.”

“The United States reiterates its longstanding call on the Government of DR Congo to stop collaboration with the Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and take immediate steps to demobilize it,” Miller maintained.

Apparently, the Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), is again an armed group which was also sanctioned by the United Nations and the United States of America.

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda is among the last factions of Rwandan rebels that happen to be still active in the DR Congo.

FDLR was founded through a consolidation of other groups consisting of Rwandan refugees in September 2000, including the former Army for the Liberation of Rwanda (ALiR).

It was active during the latter phases of the Second Congo War and the subsequent insurgencies in Kivu.