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DRC Rebels Hesitate on Plans to Withdraw From Goma

by Gabe Joselow November 27, 2012

The political leader of the M23 rebel movement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said the group is ready to withdraw from the city of Goma if Congolese President Joseph Kabila meets their conditions. It is still not clear, however, if the rebels truly intend to leave the city.

A week after the M23 rebels took control of Goma with little resistance from the Congolese army, the group's president, Jean-Marie Runiga, said they are now willing to withdraw their military force.

But, as he told reporters Tuesday in the city, they still want Kabila to meets their demands, which includes the release of political prisoners and a national dialogue with the opposition.

​​​​“A retreat, yes,” he said, “but there are some conditions and if Mr. Kabila respects these conditions we will retreat.”

The rebels have been sending mixed signals about whether they really intend to leave the city.

Earlier in the day, the head of external relations for M23, Rene Amandi said the rebels would withdraw as soon as possible to demonstrate their willingness to negotiate with Kinshasa.

The Ugandan military, which has been organizing talks between M23 and the Congolese government, also had a different impression of the agreement. Uganda's defense chief, General Aronda Nyakairima, told reporters Tuesday in Kampala the rebels had agreed to begin the withdrawal Tuesday with “no conditions.”

​​Meantime, Runiga, who just returned from talks with Kabila in Kampala, indicated the rebels remain prepared to fight if government forces launch an offensive against them.

“It is not the aim of the men of M23 to attack,” he said, “but if we are attacked, we reserve the right to respond and defend ourselves.”

African leaders at the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region over the weekend gave M23 48 hours to withdraw from Goma, a deadline that passed Monday.

The United Nations and the U.S. State Department also have called on the rebels to leave the city.