Convention for the Popular Revolution or CRP an armed group active in the north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Thursday it would observe a unilateral ceasefire ahead of what it described as preliminary talks with the Congolese government under Ugandan facilitation.

In a statement released on Thursday and signed by its leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the CRP said the ceasefire would take effect at midnight on Thursday to “give an optimal chance of success” to the pre-dialogue between the group and the government in Kinshasa.

The group also urged the opposing side to refrain from “any provocation” that could lead to further escalation in Ituri Province, saying the region did not need more violence.

There was no immediate public response from the Congolese government.

The CRP has been reported active in Ituri Province, where Congolese government forces have recently conducted operations against the group in Djugu territory.

Local and UN-backed media have also reported displacement and insecurity linked to clashes involving the CRP in the province.

Lubanga, a former militia leader, was convicted by the International Criminal Court in 2012 for war crimes related to the recruitment and use of child soldiers. In March 2020, Lubanga was released after having served 14 years of imprisonment.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report