DRC Military Calls M23 Rebel’s Withdrawal From Strategic Town Near Goma A Sham

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) military on Saturday called M23 rebel group’s withdrawal from a strategic town near the eastern city of Goma as a sham, saying the rebels are reinforcing their positions elsewhere, reported The Africa News.

On Saturday, Jeff Nyagah, the East African Community force commander, told reporters that M23 was due to withdraw to Mount Sabyinyo, which demarcates the border between the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda.

M23 derived its name from a peace agreement on March 23, 2013 reached with the DRC government and the rebels, who had attacked government troops between 2010 to 2013.

The Tutsi-led rebel group has occupied vast areas in eastern Congo in recent months, advancing within a few dozen kilometres of Goma. Frequent attacks by the rebel group have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from their homes.

On Friday, M23 rebels announced that they would withdraw from their position in the town of Kibumba, located some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Goma, which they briefly overran during their first big insurrection in 2012.

According to the DRC army, the rebels are now heading to occupy the territory west of Goma. The army also pointed out at the clashes that took place in Virunga National Park on Friday between the army and the rebels.

The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel movement, allegations denied by the neighbouring country. A report by independent experts working for the UN Security Council also highlighted Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel movement.

Rwanda has also been excluded from a regional peacekeeping contingent, to which Burundi and Kenya have already sent troops. Talks between the DRC and Rwanda in the Angolan capital Luanda unlocked a truce agreement on November 23.

Under the deal, the M23 was asked to lay down arms, and then pull back from occupied territories. The rebels, however, remained in their positions.