Ceasefire Agreed in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

A ceasefire set to begin on August 4 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was agreed upon after talks between DRC and Rwanda, mediated by Angola. The ceasefire follows a humanitarian truce and aims to address intense fighting in North Kivu province which has displaced over 1.7 million people.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 30 (Reuters) - A ceasefire beginning on Aug. 4 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was agreed on Tuesday following talks between DRC and Rwanda, the Angola presidency, which has been mediating the talks, said in a statement. The statement did not specify which parties had agreed to the ceasefire, nor how long it would last.

A two-week humanitarian truce took place earlier in July amid fierce fighting between Congolese government troops and rebels from the M23 group. Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, which Rwanda denies.

Fighting in North Kivu province has displaced more than 1.7 million people, driving up the number displaced in Congo by multiple conflicts to a record 7.2 million, according to United Nations estimates. A spokesperson for the Congolese foreign ministry confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters and said it would be of indefinite duration.

(With inputs from agencies.)