The M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo has said that it will not disarm or demobilise as long as there is no direct political dialogue with the government in Kinshasa.
A rebel spokesman, Lawrence Kanyuka, issued the statement on Twitter after the Congolese President, Félix Tshiseked, said there would be no political negotiations with the rebels.
Mr Tshisekedi said that – under an agreement negotiated by regional states – the M23 rebels are expected to demobilise before returning to civilian life.
Under the brokered peace deal, the group has been withdrawing from areas it had captured. Over the last 18 months, around three quarters of a million people have been displaced by the fighting.
More than 100,000 people have fled their homes and dozens been killed after fighting reignited between Congolese soldiers and the M23 rebel group, in one of the world’s longest and deadliest conflicts.
Now, Kenyan forces are joining the battle to support the Congolese military, in a bid to bring peace to the mineral-rich country which is being fought over by numerous different armed groups.
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo erupted three decades ago and has left more than six million dead and forced 4.5 million from their homes.
In the past year, violence has increased once more as security forces battle against more than 100 armed groups in the east of the country, despite the presence of a large United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Both the M23 and the Congolese army have accused each other of starting the clashes leading to the current crisis.
The intensity of the escalation has been such that President Félix Tshisekedi issued a call to arms on Thursday.
He urged the country’s youth to “organise themselves into vigilance groups” to support the army.
The effects of the conflict are not restricted to DR Congo, but are also souring diplomatic relations between Rwanda and DR Congo, which accuses its neighbour of backing the M23 rebels and even expelled the Rwandan ambassador last week. Rwanda denies the claims
The M23, which was formed a decade ago, claims to defend the interests of ethnic Tutsis living in DR Congo against Hutu militias. —BBC
