Congolese M23 rebels announce withdrawal from occupied areas

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Rebels known as M23 have agreed to withdraw from areas in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the armed group has announced.

"The M23 is ready to start disengagement and withdraw," spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said on Tuesday, noting that this was despite the group not being represented at a recent mini-summit in Angola, where African leaders demanded "the immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels from the occupied areas."

"The M23 lends its support to the regional efforts to bring long lasting peace in the DRC," Kanyuka added in the statement, requesting a meeting with the East African regional force deployed to the country "to discuss the implementation modalities."

The group also renewed its request for a meeting with the East African Community peace facilitator, former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, to "discuss matters of its concerns."

After clashes resumed in recent weeks, the rebels captured the key towns of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, near Goma city, the provincial capital.

The rebels had agreed to a cease-fire on Nov. 25 leading to a lull before fighting erupted again on Dec.1. But no withdrawal had been observed.

Kanyuka said the rebels, whom the government on Monday accused of massacring 272 civilians in the east, are maintaining the cease-fire.

"The M23 reiterates its readiness to direct dialogue with the DRC government in order to find a lasting solution to the root causes to the conflict in eastern DRC," the statement added.

The fighting has fueled diplomatic tensions after DRC, which accused Kigali of backing M23 rebels, allegations that Rwanda dismisses as "scapegoating."

The Congolese government has said it would not engage in talks with M23 rebels until the fighters withdrew from the areas it occupied.