Congo's Disarmament Drive Targets FDLR Militia

0:00It's March 30. This is global news today world coverage powered by AI. Congo's army just kicked off a major disarmament drive against the FDLR militia. Those remnants tied to Rwanda's 1994 genocide. This is a big move to finally roll out that U.S. broker peace deal with neighboring Rwanda. It comes right after talks two weeks back in Washington between Congo and Rwanda officials aimed at reviving last June's agreement. Plus, the U.S. hit Rwanda's defense forces with sanctions over their alleged support for the M-3 rebels. Rwanda has been pushing hard for Congo to wipe out the FDLR for years, seeing them as a direct threat. Congo's top brass, Lieutenant General Induru Jacques Yaka-Lagonza says troops are heading to Kisangani in the northeast to start operations, starting with calls for a voluntary surrender before any force. Meanwhile, M-2-3 rebels pulled back from over a dozen villages and North Kivu's Louvero territory this week, according to the local governor.

1:02The group calls it just a routine rotation, but tensions stay high with both sides trading blame. Rwanda says Congo fights with FDLR, Congo points to, Rwanda backing M-2-3. As fighting drags on despite that peace pact, this disarmament push could be the spark for real calm in eastern Congo if everyone holds up their end.