DRC government, rebels agree to ease travel

The representatives of the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo made progress on a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, ceasefire oversight, and the release of prisoners, the U.S. State Department said on Saturday. During a meeting in Switzerland this week, the parties agreed to refrain from attacking civilians and to facilitate the passage of humanitarian personnel and humanitarian convoys, the State Department said in a joint statement with the DRC government and the rebel coalition.