The United States ambassador to the DRCongo has urged Congolese troops to destroy the M23 rebels confirming U.S. position through a statement issued on June 7 in Washington.
“We support efforts made by the Congolese government and its partners against the M23. Government has a duty to destroy the rebels.
You are right to destroy these rebels, “James Entwistle told the Congolese authorities in Goma.
He said the Congolese government has the right to destroy the Movement of March 23 (M23), currently under fire from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in North Kivu.
“We support the Congolese government’s efforts to discourage further desertions and bring to justice perpetrators of violations of human rights among the mutineers, including Bosco Ntaganda,” read the statement issued by the White House.
The rebel general was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, crimes against humanity committed in Ituri in 2002.
Ambassador Entwistle said that he made him a briefing on the military situation prevailing in that province.
The clashes between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebels have caused displacement of thousands into neighbouring countries including Uganda and Rwanda.
He noted that cooperation between Kinshasa and Washington did not begin with the case of M23.
“We trained Congolese soldiers a long time. We support this country for years, “he said.
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