Congolese M23 rebels agree to cease-fire

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Congolese March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group said Friday they agreed to a cease-fire as demanded by African leaders at a mini-summit in the Angolan capital of Luanda.

“Yet again the M23 accept the ceasefire as recommended by the heads of state. However, request the DRC government to respect the said ceasefire otherwise the M23 reserves itself the full right to defend itself and to protect the civilian population against any violations of the agreed ceasefire,” said a statement by the M23 Movement that was signed by the group’s Chairman Bertrand Bisimwa.

The announcement was made amid regional diplomacy after fighting intensified in October in North Kivu province between government troops and the rebels.

Since the resumption of the clashes between the army and M23 fighters, the rebels have captured the key towns of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, near Goma, the provincial capital.

The mini-summit Thursday hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco was to find a solution to the crisis in eastern Congo. An agreement was reached for a “ceasefire within 48 hours” in the DRC at 6 p.m. (1600GMT) Friday.

The leaders also demanded “the immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels from the occupied areas.”

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi attended the meeting along with President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, who is the current chair of the East African Community bloc, as well as former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the bloc’s facilitator of the negotiations.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was represented by Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta.

“The M23 Movement is requesting a meeting with the mediator and the facilitator in order to discuss the matter of its concerns in a way to restore a lasting peace in our country,” said the rebels’ statement.

The Congo has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, a charge Rwanda dismisses as “scapegoating.”

The Congolese government has said it would not engage in talks with the rebels until fighters withdrew from the areas it occupies.

More than 232 000 civilians have been displaced in the eastern Congo since hostilities resumed.

The M23 rebel group indicated Wednesday that it was not obliged by the Luanda agreement since it had not been represented at the talks.

The East African Community (EAC) bloc has committed to deploy a joint force to quell the violence in eastern Congo.

The Luanda-led talks noted that the EAC regional force will continue its deployment.

Earlier this month, Kenya deployed troops in the Congo and Uganda announced plans to deploy about 1,000 forces.