The M23 rebels announced their withdrawal from several locations in the territory of Rutshuru in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are also awaiting negotiations with the Congolese government to hold a dialogue.
"The leadership of the movement informs the public of its decision to withdraw, once again, to its defensive positions from before April 6, 2022, to allow its concerns to be addressed through a frank and fruitful dialogue with the government of the Republic," read a statement signed by the spokesman of the rebellion, Willy Ngoma.
The M23 "expresses its intention to hand over to the International Committee of the Red Cross all elements of the national army captured on the front line for appropriate care," it adds, affirming that it has never had the intention "to conquer the territories to administer them."
Several villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have come under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels after clashes with the Congolese army in the Rutshuru region.
The front line is about ten kilometers from the urban center of Rutshuru. Fighting was also reported around the Matebe hydroelectric dam in Virunga Park.
M23 rebels occupied numerous locations such as Gisiza, Gasiza, Bugusa, Bikende-Bugusa, Kinyamahura, Rwambeho, Tshengerero, Rubavu and Basare, in addition to the strategic hills of Runyoni and Tchanzu, according to civil society. The army controls the town of Bunagana and the Rwanguba bridge. The fighting led to massive displacement of people to Rutshuru-centre and Kiwanja, some of which fled to Uganda.
Defeated in 2013, the M23, also known as the "Congolese Revolutionary Army," whose fighters had taken refuge in Uganda and Rwanda, resumed military activities last year. They blamed Kinshasa for failing to meet its peace commitments made in 2013, including the reintegration of some fighters into civilian life and an amnesty for the rebels.
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