Ceasefire Monitors Begin Deployment in Eastern Congo Under Peace Deal

The first field deployment of a ceasefire verification mission began on Monday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a significant step under a peace framework established by a Qatari-mediated deal last year. The mission commenced in the town of Minembwe, South Kivu province, a site of recent fighting between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed AFCM23 rebel group. This deployment follows the agreement of a new roadmap for peace negotiations by the Congolese government and the AFCM23 during talks held in Switzerland from August 17 to 21.