Amid escalating conflict in eastern Congo, two armed groups have pledged to respect civilians, work to end sexual violence, food insecurity, and famine conditions. The ICRC reports a significant rise in sexual violence against women and girls in conflict zones in the DRC over the past year. Western diplomats witnessed the envoys committing to these pledges in a historic setting in Geneva, where the armed groups signed 'Deeds of Commitment' to uphold international humanitarian law.
In Geneva, two armed groups that are loosely aligned with the government against M23 inked separate “Deeds of Commitment” on the rules they've vowed to respect. https://t.co/24kiBNe00x
Under a crystal chandelier in a hall where the first Geneva Convention was signed in the mid-19th century, representatives of two armed groups in Congo signed solemn pledges this week to both their violence-wracked country and the wider world: We will... https://t.co/dImbgrbnG4
With several Western diplomats looking on, the envoys made commitments that their forces will work to end sexual violence, food insecurity and conditions of famine and to ensure greater access to health care in the parts of increasingly violent eastern Congo that they operate in…
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Violence in parts of the country has reached devastating levels. @Refugees is calling for an immediate end to the fighting, and urges all parties to respect & uphold international humanitarian law. Learn more ⤵️
There has been a dramatic increase in sexual violence against women and girls - including rape - in conflict zones in #DRCongo over the past 12 months 👇 https://t.co/Gv6RgBmrzU
As conflict worsens in eastern Congo, 2 armed groups pledge to respect civilians https://t.co/WWJbTImtXW https://t.co/K3ymTSkwqJ
As conflict worsens in eastern Congo, 2 armed groups pledge to respect civilians (AP) https://t.co/arWdgNjlTs