Armed Group in Eastern DR Congo Declares Unilateral Ceasefire Ahead of Proposed Talks

May 15, 2026

Kinshasa: The Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP), an armed group active in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced a unilateral ceasefire ahead of proposed preliminary talks with the Congolese government under Ugandan mediation.

In a statement signed by CRP leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the group said the ceasefire would take effect from midnight on Thursday in an effort to create favourable conditions for dialogue with authorities in Kinshasa.

The armed group also appealed to opposing forces to avoid “provocations” that could trigger further violence in Ituri Province, saying the region had already suffered enough instability.

No Immediate Response from Congolese Government

There was no immediate public response from the Congolese government regarding the ceasefire declaration or the proposed talks.

The CRP has reportedly been active in Ituri Province, particularly in Djugu territory, where government forces have recently carried out military operations against armed groups operating in the area.

Local and UN-backed reports have linked the group to growing insecurity and displacement in parts of eastern Congo.

Thomas Lubanga’s Controversial Background

CRP leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is a former militia commander who was convicted by the International Criminal Court in 2012 for war crimes related to the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Lubanga was released in March 2020 after serving a 14-year prison sentence.

His return to the conflict landscape in eastern Congo has continued to draw international attention and concern.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Ituri Province

The ceasefire announcement comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Ituri Province.

Earlier this year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned about escalating violence in the region, which has disrupted aid operations and displaced thousands of civilians.

According to UN officials, more than 87,000 displaced people in and around Bule have faced severe shortages of food, clean water, and healthcare due to ongoing insecurity.

The situation in eastern DR Congo remains one of Africa’s most persistent conflict and humanitarian crises, with armed violence continuing to impact civilian populations across the region.