Calm was still precarious on the front lines in North Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as Kenyan contingent making up part of the East African Community (EAC) force, continue to be deployed for planned operations against the M23 rebel group.
Some Kenyan units previously arrived in the DR Congo since September to help install logistical support systems in preparations for planned operations.
It said that the Kenyan contingent’s first mission will be to help recapture the border city of Bunagana which was seized by M23 in June this year.
In a statement issued earlier last week, the M23 Movement Directorate said it has taken note of Luanda’s final communique of November 23, 2022.
The M23 movement said it had signed a unilateral ceasefire on April 1st which it considers still in place.
In the statement, the movement said that it was requesting a meeting with the mediator and the facilitator in order to discuss the matter of its concern over how to restore lasting peace in DR Congo.
“The M23 Movement tremendously condemns the implementation of the ongoing planned genocide by the DRC government and its allies, consequently, it shall not just stand by and witness the slaughtering of Congolese citizens,” part of the statement read.
It said because of continued hostilities by the DR Congo army, it will refuse to stop its advance on towns and cities in the east of the country.
CU/as/APA