OAU and US deplore ceasefire violations

OAU chairman, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on Monday expressed concern at the resumption of fighting in DRC. “These regrettable developments are happening at a time when the OAU is continuing and intensifying efforts to ensure the implementation of the Lusaka agreement, the PanAfrican News Agency (PANA) quoted Bouteflika as saying. The US also called on Monday for all the combatants “to cease attempted military advances immediately,” adding that there were “no valid reasons for any force with troops in DRC to conduct active military operations.” In a Department of State press release, Washington urged all Lusaka participants “to use the JMC or bilateral contacts to resolve disputes over military issues swiftly,” and warned that repeated ceasefire violations erode the confidence of the international community and the people of Central Africa who support Lusaka.