Common use of PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT Clause in Contracts

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (e) do not preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ OAU Observer gro up be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex 'A' of this Ag reement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese political n egotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex ' A'. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC.

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (e) do not preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire cease-fire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange exchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease release of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h with the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own down all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping peace-keeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ UN/OAU Observer gro up group be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping peace-keeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping peace-keeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex 'A' of this Ag reementAgreement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm re-affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese Inter-Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established re- established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political n egotiations negotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. parties. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex ' A'. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC.

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (eparagraphs 3(e) do not no preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire ceasefire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange exchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc The Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease release of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h with the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own down all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping peacekeeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ UN/OAU Observer gro up group, be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping peacekeeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping peacekeeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex '“A' ” of this Ag reementAgreement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender Calendar in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be the prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm re-affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese Inter-Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established re-established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition opposition, shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political n egotiations negotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead lead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. parties. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex ' “A'”. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC. 21. The Parties affirm the need to address the security concerns of the DRC and the neighbouring countries. 22. There shall be a mechanism for disarming militias and armed groups, including the genocidal forces. In this context, all Parties commit themselves to the process of locating, identifying, disarming and assembling all members of armed groups in the DRC. Countries of origin of members of the armed groups, commit themselves to taking all the necessary measures to facilitate their repatriation. Such measures may include the granting of amnesty in countries where such a measure has been deemed beneficial. It shall, however, not apply in the case of suspects of the crime of genocide. The Parties assume full responsibility for ensuring that armed groups operating alongside their troops or on the territory under their control, comply with the processes leading to the dismantling of those groups in particular. 23. The Parties shall ensure the implementation of the terms of the Agreement and its Annexes “A” and “B” which form an integral part of the Agreement. 24. The definitions of common terms used are at Annex “C”. 25. The Agreement shall take effect 24 hours after signature. 26. The Agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties and any such amendment shall be in writing and shall be signed by them in the same way as the Agreement.

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (e) do not preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire cease-fire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange exchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc The Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease release of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h with the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own down all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping peace-keeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ UN/OAU Observer gro up group be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping peace-keeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping peace-keeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex 'A' of this Ag reementAgreement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender Calendar in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm re-affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese Inter-Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established re-established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese inter- Congolese political n egotiations negotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead lead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. parties. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex Xxxxx ' A'. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC. 21. The Parties affirm the need to address the security concerns of the DRC and her neighbouring countries. 22. There shall be a mechanism for disarming militias and armed groups, including the genocidal forces. In this context, all Parties commit themselves to the process of locating, identifying, disarming and assembling all members of armed groups in the DRC. Countries of origin of members of the armed groups, commit themselves to taking all the necessary measures to facilitate their repatriation. Such measures may include the granting of amnesty in countries where such a measure has been deemed beneficial. It shall, however, not apply in the case of suspects of the crime of genocide. The Parties assume full responsibility of ensuring that armed groups operating alongside their troops or on the territory under their control, comply with the processes leading to the dismantling of those groups in particular. 23. The Parties shall ensure the implementation of the terms of the Agreement and its Annexes 'A' and 'B' which form an integral part of the Agreement. 24. The definitions of common terms used are at Annex 'C'. 25. The Agreement shall take effect 24 hours after signature. 26. The Agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties and any such amendment shall be in writing and shall be signed by them in the same way as the Agreement.

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (e) do not preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire cease-fire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange exchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease release of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h with the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own down all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping peace-keeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ UN/OAU Observer gro up group be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping peace-keeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping peace-keeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex 'A' of this Ag reementAgreement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm re-affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese Inter-Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established re- established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political n egotiations negotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. parties. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex Xxxxx ' A'. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC.

PRINCIPLES OF THE AGREEMENT. 5. The provisions of paragraph 3 (e) do not preclude the supply of food, clothing and medical support for the military forces in the field. 6. The cease -fire cease-fire shall guarantee the free movement of persons and goods throughout the national territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall release persons detained or taken hostage and shall give them the latitude to relocate to any provinces within the DRC or country where their security will be guaranteed. 8. The Parties to the Agreement commit themselves to e xchange exchange prisoners of war and release any other persons detained as a result of the war. 9. Thc The Parties shall allow immediate and unhindered access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent for the purpose of arranging the rel ease release of prisoners of war and other persons detained as a result of the war as well as the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded. 10. The Parties shall facilitate humanitarian assistance through the opening up of humanitarian corridors and creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, refugees and other affected persons. a. The United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and in collaboration wit h with the OAU, shall be requested to constitute, facilitate and deploy an appropriate peacekeeping force in the DRC to ensure implementation of this Agreement; and taking into account the peculiar situation of the DRC, mandate the peacekeeping force to track d own down all armed groups in the DRC. In this respect, the UN Security Council shall provide the requisite mandate for the peace -keeping peace-keeping force. b. The Parties shall constitute a Joint Military Commission (JMC) which shall, together with the UN/ UN/OAU Observer gro up group be responsible for executing, immediately after the coming into force of this Agreement, peace -keeping peace-keeping operations until the deployment of the UN peace -keeping peace-keeping force. Its composition and mandate shall be as stipulated in Chapter 7 of Annex 'A' of this Ag reementAgreement. 12. The final withdrawal of all foreign forces from the national territory of the DRC shall be carried out in accordance with the Calender Calendar in Annex B of this Agreement and a withdrawal schedule to be prepared by the UN, the OAU and the JMC. 13. The laying of mines of whatever type shall be prohibited. 14. There shall be immediate disengagement of forces in the areas where they are in direct contact. 15. Nothing in the Agreement shall in any way undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrit y integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 16. The Parties re -affirm re-affirm that all ethnic groups and nationalities whose people and territory constituted what became Congo (now DRC) at independence must enjoy equal rights and protection under the law as citizens. 17. The Parties to the Agreement shall take all necessary measures aimed at securing the normalisation of the situation along the international borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups. 18. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon conclusion of the Inter -Congolese Inter-Congolese political negotiations, state administration shall be re -established re-established throughout the national territory of the Democr atic Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. On the coming into force of the Agreement, the Government of the DRC, the armed opposition, namely, the RCD and MLC as well as the unarmed opposition shall enter into an open national dialogue. These inter -Congolese inter- Congolese political n egotiations negotiations involving les forces vives shall Iead lead to a new political dispensation and national reconciliation in the DRC. The inter -Congolese inter-Congolese political negotiations shall be under the aegis of a neutral facilitator to be agreed upon by the Congolese partie s. parties. All the Parties commit themselves to supporting this dialogue and shall ensure that the inter-Congolese political negotiations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of Annex ' A'. 20. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement and upon the conclusion of the national dialogue, there shall be a mechanism for the formation of a national, restructured and integrated army, including the forces of the Congolese Parties who are signatories to this Agreement, on the basis of negotiatio ns negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the RCD and MLC. 21. The Parties affirm the need to address the security concerns of the DRC and her neighbouring countries. 22. There shall be a mechanism for disarming militias and armed groups, including the genocidal forces. In this context, all Parties commit themselves to the process of locating, identifying, disarming and assembling all members of armed groups in the DRC. Countries of origin of members of the armed groups, commit themselves to taking all the necessary measures to facilitate their repatriation. Such measures may include the granting of amnesty in countries where such a measure has been deemed beneficial. It shall, however, not apply in the case of suspects of the crime of genocide. The Parties assume full responsibility of ensuring that armed groups operating alongside their troops or on the territory under their control, comply with the processes leading to the dismantling of those groups in particular. 23. The Parties shall ensure the implementation of the terms of the Agreement and its Annexes 'A' and 'B' which form an integral part of the Agreement. 24. The definitions of common terms used are at Annex 'C'. 25. The Agreement shall take effect 24 hours after signature. 26. The Agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties and any such amendment shall be in writing and shall be signed by them in the same way as the Agreement.