UN chief welcomes signing of ceasefire deal in Republic of Congo

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Congo and a group led by Pastor Ntumi on Saturday.

In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that "the Secretary-General expresses the hope that the agreement will lead to a sustainable peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Pool region of the country and the alleviation of the dire humanitarian situation there." The Pool refers to the Congo's oil producing southern region that includes the capital Brazzaville.

"The United Nations stands ready to support the parties in the implementation of the agreement," said Dujarric.

Political violence spiked in the Central African country after a contested presidential election in April 2016 was won by President Denis Sassou Nguesso. The government has blamed Ntumi and his military group for deadly raids on police, military and government bases. Enditem