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First batch of Rwandan troops withdrawn from eastern DR of Congo, UN mission reports

First batch of Rwandan troops withdrawn from eastern DR of Congo, UN mission reports

A first batch of Rwandan troops have withdrawn from Kindu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the United Nations mission in the country.

The Commander of UN forces in the DRC, Gen. Mountaga Diallo, attended the ceremony marking the departure of about 460 soldiers, UN officials reported.

In July, the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace accord - brokered by the Government of South Africa - that calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC territory. The agreement also envisions help from the UN mission in implementing the deal, including the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of foreign armed groups, the withdrawal of all foreign troops, and the restoration of security in the north-eastern part of the country.