DRC: M23 announces withdrawal from localities conquered this weekend in Rutshuru
Congolese army soldiers on patrol around Kiwanja on April 3, 2022 days after clashes with M23 rebels in Rutshuru.
AFP - GUERCHOM NDEBO
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the M23 rebels have announced that they are withdrawing from many localities in the territory of Rutshuru conquered this weekend, to occupy only those before April 6.
Advertisement
Read more
With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Pascal Mulegwa
According to the M23, the fact of withdrawing is proof that it never intended to make conquests to administer them.
However, it was not established on Sunday evening that the withdrawal of the ten villages concerned was effective.
The rebels still retain control of their last lock, the very strategic hills of Tshanzu and Runyoni.
They facilitate border control with Rwanda and Uganda, but also provide access to Masisi territory.
The rebel movement also expressed "
its intention to hand over to the International Committee of the Red Cross the soldiers captured on the front line for appropriate care
".
The M23 says it wants "
a peaceful resolution to the crisis
".
In its statement on Sunday, the rebel movement which resumed military action last year, explains this withdrawal to allow a "
frank and fruitful
" dialogue with Kinshasa.
For the moment, Kinshasa prioritizes the military solution and does not communicate at all on the situation of the front line or on the exchanges with the rebels.
After its unilateral ceasefire in early April, the M23 had withdrawn from certain localities such as Rwanguba.
If the noise of boots resumed, according to the rebels, it was following the army offensive, a maneuver against which the rebel movement says it responded vigorously.
Every year there is a war that forces people to flee.
We want the government to seek a definitive solution, once and for all.
Jean-Claude Bambaze, president of the civil society of Rutshuru
Claire Fages
► To read also: DRC: clashes between the army and the M23 resume in North Kivu
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
ground floor
M23