The DRC government and M23 rebel movement have adopted and signed on Tuesday, December 18 have come to an agreement after tense closed door negotiations in Kampala, Uganda.
This document contains twenty-two articles laying down how discussions shall be held throughout the period of dialogue.
On behalf of the Congolese government Raymond Tshibanda signed and François Rucogoza represented M23.
Its agreed that dialogue is done in a manner that does not prejudice the establishment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while finding solutions to the conflict in eastern DRC.
This dialogue has as main objectives specified in the regulation, to review the status of implementation of the Agreement of 23rd March 2009 and agree on the way forward, discuss other issues as proposed by both parties.
Fifteen members of each delegation, including the Head of Delegation or his deputy, shall constitute a quorum for meetings in plenary session.
Discussions will be held behind closed doors, without the press coverage. And the parties are obliged to refrain from making statements to the media that could jeopardize the success of the dialogue.
The regulation prohibits offensive remarks, degrading or provocations.
The two sides also discussed the draft agenda of the dialogue and decided to continue consultations Wednesday, December 19 on one of the points of this project.
The last meeting between the two parties was held Friday, December 14 in the evening.
The two delegations were divided on the question of the agenda and rules of procedure, two documents that should condition further discussions.
These discussions began on Sunday, December 9. In their opening remarks, the rebels accused the government of being the basis for massacres of civilians, political opponents and violations of human rights.
After these statements, the government delegation requested a reply.
This occurred forty-eight hours later. Based on various reports from international NGOs and UN experts, the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs argued that the M23 is the basis of the ills that plague the DRC.
From the former military wing of the National Congress for the Defence of the People, the M23 was born in May.
It calls for the implementation of the agreement signed on 23 March 2009 between the government and the CNDP.
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