A dire humanitarian situation continues to unfold in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) despite a recent extension of the ceasefire between the DRC military and the Movement of March 23 (M23) rebels.

The M23 group, which controls almost 100 villages in North Kivu province, has faced accusations of violating the two-week truce set to last until August 3.

Ceasefire Extension

The initial humanitarian ceasefire, effective from July 5 to July 19, was extended for an additional two weeks to support the voluntary return of displaced individuals and ensure aid access for those in need.

However, DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya criticized M23’s conduct during the truce, asserting that mere respect for the ceasefire is not enough; the ultimate goal is achieving peace.

Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, in her debut press briefing earlier in July, emphasized the DRC’s commitment to diplomatic solutions during and beyond the ceasefire.

She described the truce as a step toward peace in the violence-ridden eastern region, underscoring the protection of the population as her primary responsibility. “A ceasefire does not imply a lack of vigilance,” Wagner remarked, emphasizing the pursuit of a “lasting solution.”

Kinshasa has accused Kigali of backing the M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda denies.

Humanitarian Crisis

The extended ceasefire period has seen ongoing clashes between DRC forces and M23 in the village of Bweremana, North Kivu, where bombings during the initial ceasefire phase resulted in civilian casualties and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in displacement camps. On July 11, the DRC military accused M23 of breaching the ceasefire and failing to provide adequate conditions for displaced persons, including obstructing humanitarian aid.

Displaced individuals at the Mugunga camp near Goma have reported a lack of assistance despite the ceasefire. “The ceasefire seems meaningless to us. M23’s attacks have continued, and we face threats even during this period,” said Birichera Samuel, a father of six who has been displaced since January.

Henry Pacifique Mayala, from the Kivu Security Barometer, stressed the need for stringent enforcement of the ceasefire and suggested that stricter measures and sanctions should be considered to ensure compliance.

In Beni, North Kivu, General Ychaligonza Nduru of the DRC Armed Forces announced plans to reclaim areas held by M23, with reinforcements arriving from Kisangani to support these efforts.

Stalled Negotiations

Despite international calls for a political resolution, DRC authorities have reiterated their stance on negotiations. The government, through spokesperson Muyaya, maintains that discussions with rebels will only occur within the Luanda peace process framework.

Foreign Minister Wagner echoed this position, emphasizing a desire for honest and sincere dialogue within the established process, initiated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

The conflict has displaced over 900,000 people from January to April 2024, raising the total number of displaced individuals to around 7.3 million nationwide. Of these, more than 5.6 million are in the three eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).