GENEVA: The DR Congo government and the M23 group agreed to ease humanitarian aid deliveries and release prisoners within 10 days, according to a joint statement Sunday following talks in Switzerland.
Since 2021, the M23, backed by Rwanda, has seized territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region ravaged by more than 30 years of conflict.
The two sides signed a US-brokered peace agreement in December but fighting has continued.
Talks mediated by Qatar were held in the Swiss town of Montreux from April 13 to 17.
“The DRC and AFC/M23 (the parties) agreed on the critical importance of ensuring life-saving humanitarian assistance for the people of eastern DRC,” said a statement issued by both sides, mediators and other attendees.
“The parties agreed to facilitate rapid, unimpeded, safe, and sustained humanitarian access.”
The two sides “agreed to comply with all of their obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international refugee law, as applicable.
