BRUSSELS, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The European Union said Monday it was concerned by a lingering humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite a recent cease-fire agreement.
"The EU remains concerned by the overall humanitarian situation in eastern DRC," it said in a report on the crisis. "The number of conflict related internal displaced people and refugees has not reduced and the population continues to face acute humanitarian needs."
Members of the March 23 Movement reached a truce last week with the government DRC. M23 is comprised of former rebel soldiers integrated into the military who later mutinied, saying the government reneged in previous peace agreements.
M23 is accused of committing war crimes during its rebellion in eastern DRC. The EU in its statement said it was concerned about ongoing activity from a number of other armed groups active in the region.
"The EU welcomes the DRC's commitment to exclude perpetrators of human rights abuses from being eligible to integrate the national security forces," it added.
The report said European member states were ready to provide more assistance to stabilization programs in DRC.
The M23 agreement was brokered with the help of multilateral negotiators working from neighboring Uganda.
