{The rebel M23 group has announced that its military commander, Brig Sultani Makenga, is ready to oversee a comprehensive disarmament exercise within the Movement to allow a peaceful end to the rebellion. }
By Wednesday morning, Makenga was reported in Virunga Mountains where he is stationed with his closest associates Vianney Kazarama, Col Kaina and Mboneza among other field commanders.
The rebel Movement on Tuesday announced that it had decided “from this day to put an end to this rebellion” and to only use “purely political means” the search for solutions to the root causes that led to its creation.
M23 President, Bertrand Bisiimwa said the Chief of General Staff (Maeknga) and the commanders of all major units of the Movement are “requested to prepare their troops for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration whose terms are to be agreed with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
M23 publicist, Amani Kabasha said Makenga decided not to fight a joint force comprising troops from Tanzania, South Africa, France and elements from Mai Mai and MONUSCO to avoid the escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the restive eastern region.
It remains unclear if Makenga will surrender to DRC authorities considering that he faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
However, the M23 military commander’s fate is likely to be decided by the peace agreement which will be signed before the end of this week between DRC and M23 representatives in Kampala.
Bisiimwa said the end of the rebellion would possibly lead to peace in DRC. “Let’s test this: Maybe the M23 to be aside will give to our people and our country more security, peace and development,” he said, adding, “The DRC without M23 has to deal with security issues (FDLR, FNL, ADF-NALU), return of refugees, national reconciliation, and development of Eastern DRC.”
{{Chimpreports}}
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