by PHYLLIS BIRORI
KIGALI – THE United States administration of President Donald Trump believes the signing of a peace agreement marks a historic milestone in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and the broader Great Lakes region.
However, the global human rights group, Amnesty International is unconvinced and argues the deal fails to address justice for the victims of serious crimes by not including any provisions aimed at holding their perpetrators to account.
“Without addressing impunity for the horrific crimes committed in eastern DRC, the agreement missed an opportunity to decisively tackle a long-standing driver of the conflict,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty’s Secretary General.
“When human rights abusers are not investigated and held to account, it leads to a vicious cycle of abuses in which civilians pay the price. This must stop for security to be sustainable,”Callamard said.
Amnesty disclosed since the agreement was signed in Washington on June 27, international had received credible reports that the allegedly Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) and Wazalendo armed groups – many of which are supported by the Congolese army – had continued to clash in North and South Kivu provinces, resulting in the deaths of civilians.
In addition, M23 allegedly continues to abduct young men and take them to unknown locations. M23, which is said to be negotiating with the DRC government in a separate mediation process led by Qatar, “took note” of the US-facilitated peace deal on 30 June but stated recently that it did not concern them.
Last week, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Senior Advisor Massad Boulos hosted the ministerial signing of the peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
“In the coming weeks, we look forward to hosting a Summit of the Heads of State at the White House to further advance peace, stability and mutual economic prosperity,” the US Department of State said.
