First EJVM+ Ceasefire Verification Mission Deploys to Minembwe

A joint verification team of Congolese government and AFC/M23 representatives, with observers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and logistical support from MONUSCO, arrived in Minembwe, South Kivu, for the first Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+) mission agreed at the Aug 17-21 Geneva talks. The same day, the DRC government formally accused M23 of "crimes and serious human rights violations," saying the group killed more than 300 people in territories under its control in June and July; M23 countered that government forces had launched a "deadly attack" with artillery near Minembwe.