Politics 11 October 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
DRC Rebel Leader Lubanga Declares Ceasefire After Entebbe Talks with Museveni
Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, leader of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP) in eastern DRC, has announced a ceasefire following a peace meeting in Entebbe with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Congolese officials. The move aims to build trust for resuming pre-dialogue processes. Source: https://observer.ug/news/drc-rebel-leader-lubanga-declares-ceasefire-after-meeting-museveni
Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the head of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP) operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has declared a ceasefire.
This decision follows a significant meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda, on Friday, October 9, with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Lubanga issued a statement on Saturday, October 10, confirming the halt in hostilities and directing his forces to adhere to the ceasefire.
The Entebbe meeting brought together senior Congolese government and military officials, including military governors of North Kivu and Ituri Province, alongside Ugandan diplomats. The presence of these key figures underscores the regional effort to de-escalate the long-standing conflict in eastern DRC.
Lubanga stated that the meeting agreed to resume pre-dialogue talks after a two-week break. He emphasized that the ceasefire is intended to foster trust and confidence between his movement and the Congolese government ahead of these crucial negotiations.
Lubanga, a former warlord with a history dating back to the early 2000s conflicts in Ituri, has previously led the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC). He was convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2012 for recruiting child soldiers and served a prison sentence before his release in 2020.
He announced the formation of the CRP in March 2025, aiming to unite various armed groups in Ituri. The CRP later declared alignment with groups like M23, leading to intensified clashes before this latest ceasefire announcement.
The effectiveness of this ceasefire will depend on its sustained implementation by all parties and the progress made in subsequent dialogue. For the civilians in eastern DRC, who have endured immense suffering, this development offers a potential, albeit fragile, path towards peace and security.