A ceasefire agreement is in the works in the Democratic Republic of Congo! President Joseph Kabila's government is expected to sign a truce today with the rebel forces in the country's North Kivu Province.
This is welcome news for a people who have been ravaged by ongoing conflict. In Kivu, unspeakable atrocities have been committed against women and children.
A recent BBC report said...
"The International Rescue Committee says 45,000 people are dying every month-a total of 5.4 million dead since 1998, surpassing any conflict since World War II."
Finally, an agreement has been reached with rebel leader Laurent Nkunda and various other rebel groups. However, the BBC reports that Nkunda's fate is not included in the pact. He's wanted for some horrible war crimes. Can a peace deal that doesn't include Nkunda's resignation be taken seriously? That remains to be seen.
But if a true end to the brutal violence can be reached, that would be a definite step in the right direction.
Nkunda can face the International Criminal Court later.