The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a rebel coalition have agreed to facilitate humanitarian access and refrain from attacking civilians, the US said Saturday after talks in Switzerland.
Representatives of Kinshasa and the Alliance Fleuve Congo made progress on a draft protocol covering humanitarian access, judicial protections, ceasefire monitoring and the release of prisoners, the US State Department said in a joint statement with the two sides.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to allow the safe passage of aid workers and convoys, and to avoid targeting civilians, the statement said.
The talks mark a tentative step toward de-escalation in the conflict-hit east of the vast central African nation, where fighting between government forces and a patchwork of armed groups has intensified in recent months.
Eastern DRC has long been plagued by instability driven by ethnic tensions, competition over mineral-rich land, and the presence of dozens of militias. The resurgence of the March 23 Movement in recent years has further destabilized North Kivu province, with Kinshasa accusing neighboring Rwanda of backing the group — a charge Kigali denies.
The violence has triggered one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. According to the United Nations, more than six million people are internally displaced in the DRC, many of them in the east, while millions more face acute food insecurity.
Previous ceasefire efforts and regional mediation initiatives, including those led by East African blocs, have struggled to hold, with repeated violations reported on both sides. Aid agencies have frequently warned that insecurity and restricted access have hampered relief operations, leaving vulnerable populations without essential assistance.
Washington has been increasingly engaged in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, urging all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and support mechanisms for monitoring ceasefire compliance.
