Humanitarian Truce in the DRC Extended

The initial US-brokered truce between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Rwandan and Ugandan-backed M23 rebels, which began on July 5th and was set to expire on the 19th, has been extended an additional 15 days. Despite the truce, reports of killings have continued to surface, particularly as the truce only applies to the FARDC and M23, with an estimated 120 other armed groups operating in the country's east..What You Need to Know.The United States welcomed the extension in a statement released by national Spokesperson Matthew Miller. Miller called on all actors in the region to "respect the truce" and to support regional attempts to implement a cessation of hostilities, specifically referencing the Luanda and Nairobi processes..The extension is in effect until 11:59pm local time on August 5th, as outlined by a White House statement..Additionally, the US emphasized its continued work with the governments of the Congo, Rwanda, and Angola, touching on the work of Angola as a mediator between the DRC and Rwanda as mandated by the African Union as part of the Luanda Process..Under the Nairobi process, Kenya, under East African Community (EAC) mandate, is mediating between the DRC and the other rebel groups present in the DRC's east..On Wednesday, a group of women who form part of the 'Women's Synergy for Peace and Security in the DRC', spoke with Carolina Cerqueira, Angola's National Assembly Speaker..According to the group, "the security situation in the eastern part of the DRC is critical. We have more than 10 million internally displaced people because of the conflict, where women, the elderly and children are dying of hunger.".On the same day of the meeting with Speaker Cerqueira, 522 citizens, including 71 children, attempted to cross into Angola from the DRC. According to Alexandre Pereira, a technician from the Institutional Communication and Press Office, the immigrants sought to settle in the country's diamond exploration areas and were thus repatriated to the DRC..Is is equally possible however, that the immigrants were fleeing the insecurity currently plaguing the DRC..The humanitarian truce, which seeks to allow much-needed aid to reach the populations of North Kivu province, is unlikely to turn into much more. A recent UN report noted the existence of approximately 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops in the DRC's east, where North Kivu province lies..The report also noted Uganda's participation in the conflict, highlighting instances where Ugandan military officials facilitated the travel of M23 leaders in the east and provided logistical support to the group..FARDC forces have increasingly failed to repel M23 offensives, and the exodus of civilians from 'hot zones' continues, with hundreds of thousands of displaced men, women, and children taking refuge in camps which provide little shelter..In early May, four camps housing internally displaced people (IDP) were shelled—allegedly by the M23—and resulted in the death of 18..President Felix Tshisekedi attributed the attack to Rwanda, while Rwanda's Paul Kagame vehemently denied the claims..So, What Now?.Despite the efforts of international mediators such as the US and Angola, it is unlikely the humanitarian truce will lead to a more concrete cessation of hostilities, particularly as Kagame and Tshisekedi are yet to meet in person to discuss the conflict..Nonetheless, the truce will enable much-needed humanitarian aid to reach the most impacted populations in the east, which, in any case, is a positive development.