UNITED NATIONS, Jul 21 (APP): An agreement signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the Rwandan-backed Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement has been hailed by the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) as “an important step towards sustainable peace.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel militia have signed a new ceasefire agreement, bringing a halt to the massive violence that has ravaged the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region for months.

The Congolese government continues its military offensives despite ongoing peace efforts in Doha, Qatar, the AFC/M23 rebellion informed the national and international community, on July 17, reiterating its “determination to protect civilian populations and eliminate any threat at its source.

As the Senate prepares to take up the rescissions package, lawmakers should remember: Peacekeeping isn’t charity, it’s strategy.