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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host the signing of an agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a pledge for a truce, officials announced.
According to the State Department’s public schedule, Rubio will sign a “declaration of principles” this Friday with DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Further details from the State Department were not immediately available.
In a surprising development on Wednesday, the DRC and M23 rebels, who have rapidly advanced in the region, announced they had agreed to cease fighting in eastern DRC while working towards a permanent truce.
The conflict, which has persisted along the border of the two nations since January, has resulted in thousands of deaths.
Related:https://mediawireexpress.co.tz/drc-government-shuts-down-kabilas-party-over-rebel-links/
UN experts, along with the United States and other Western governments, allege that Rwanda supports the M23, which has recently captured key cities in the volatile and resource-rich eastern DRC.
Rwanda denies providing military assistance to the M23. However, following a visit this month, US envoy Massad Boulos—who is also the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump—urged Rwanda to end its support and withdraw “all Rwandan troops from DRC territory.”
Qatar has facilitated talks between Rwanda and the DRC, collaborating with the United States on various diplomatic challenges.
The DRC is seeking US support partly by proposing to establish its own agreement with the United States regarding access to critical minerals.
Source:BBC
