During ongoing talks in Switzerland, the AFC/M23 coalition and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed an agreement confirming that the joint body known as the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) will now include representatives from this coalition to help monitor the ceasefire.
According to journalist Steve Wembi, the AFC/M23 coalition and the Congolese government reached this agreement after several days of negotiations in Switzerland.
He stated that “By signing the MoU with the AFC/M23, the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), operating under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL/ICGLR), automatically becomes EJVM+.”
He also noted that “the AFC/M23 will also deploy its officers as part of ceasefire verification or monitoring.”
The EJVM body will work alongside MONUSCO in preparations to support peace and security in certain areas, including the city of Uvira, which had previously been taken by AFC/M23 before they voluntarily withdrew at the request of the United States.
Before withdrawing from Uvira, AFC/M23 had requested that the city be controlled by neutral forces. However, after their withdrawal, the city was reportedly taken over by groups allied with the Congolese army (FARDC), including Wazalendo and FDLR.
This agreement was signed during the ongoing talks in Switzerland, which were relocated there after earlier discussions held in Qatar.
RADIOTV10
