the M23 announces to withdraw from the localities conquered this weekend in Rutshuru

© AFP – GUERCHOM NDEBO
Congolese army soldiers on patrol around Kiwanja on April 3, 2022 days following clashes with M23 rebels in Rutshuru.

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.

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 soldiers captured on the front line to the International Committee of the Red Cross for appropriate treatment “. The M23 says it wishes “ 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 dialogue “ frank and fruitful opened 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After its unilateral ceasefire in early April, the M23 had withdrawn from certain localities such as Rwanguba.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 once morest which the rebel movement says it responded vigorously.

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