DR of Congo: UN mission helps rebel factions in northeast reach ceasefire accord

The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has helped three armed rebel movements that have been fighting in the northeastern part of the country to reach a ceasefire agreement, according to a UN spokesman in New York.

On Monday, the three – the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC), the Congolese Rally for Democracy-National (RCD-N) and the Congolese Rally for Democracy-Liberation Movement (RCD-ML) – agreed to immediately stop all fighting in the Isiro-Bafwasende-Beni-Watsa quadrangle. MONUC said it would deploy military observers to the area immediately.

All three groups also agreed to guarantee the freedom of movement of the civilian population and humanitarian organizations.

The signing ceremony was attended by the deputy head of the UN mission, Lena Sundh, along with the UN Force Commander in the DRC, Gen. Mountaga Diallo, and the Ambassadors to the DRC of China, France, United States, Russia, United Kingdom, South Africa and Belgium.