Wiseman Nyika
Fighting erupted in the DRC between government forces and M23 rebels since Monday despite ceasefire calls from both parties, the United Nations refugee agency has reported.
United Nations officials say at least four civilians were killed in the DRC border town of Bunagana and displaced some 10 000 refugees who crossed to the bordering Uganda.
The wave of fighting comes as a surprise as the M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa indicated on Sunday he wanted a cease-fire to allow stalled peace talks with the government to resume.
In a statement onTuesday, M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa requested rebel commanders to prepare fighters for “disarmament, demobilization and social reintegration.”
Bisimwa said the group would pursue its goals through political means and ensure local residents are given an opportunity to get jobs, good roads, hospitals and schools.
Congolese Information Minister Lambert Mende said the rebels must commit to a series of steps to demobilize, not just enact a cease-fire.
He also commented how government forces managed to thwart the insurgence, “Militarily we can say that M23 was disbanded. They are now escaping here and there but they have no control over a single village.”
M23 had seized parts of Congo’s North Kivu province last year. But the Congolese military, backed by United Nations forces, has steadily regained territory from M23 in recent weeks and the recent government onslaught has resulted in in the recapturing of the few last rebel bastions.
There are growing fears the new wave of violence will increase the number of refugees trooping to neighbouring states such as Uganda. And as of last night hordes of Congolese were seen trekking for long distances on foot.
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