M23 rebels withdraw from bases in DR Congo to border with Rwanda

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo said Monday that March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have withdrawn from the bases from where they have been attacking government troops.

They are now based at the border with Rwanda, authorities said.

Area army spokesman Lt. Col. Guillaume Njike Kaiko said in a statement on UN radio in the Democratic Republic of Congo that the M23 rebels withdrew from the territories of Nyiragongo and Rutshuru in North Kivu province.

“The enemy came from Rwanda to attack our positions and they cut traffic on this road of national interest. Today we have reopened the road after flushing them out,” Kaiko said.

He said residents who had fled due to M23 attacks have started returning to their villages.