DR Congo declares full victory over M23 rebels
Iran Press TV
Tue Nov 5, 2013 1:28PM GMT
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo says it has achieved 'total victory' over the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the east of the country after a 20-month conflict.
'The last elements of the M23 have abandoned their positions in Runyonyi and Chanzu under pressure from FARDC (government forces) who have just entered there,' Communications Minister Lambert Mende said on Tuesday in the town of Kiwanja.
Mende, who also serves as a government spokesman, was referring to two remaining hilltop positions some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the regional capital of Goma.
'We can say that it's finished. But you never know. Those who escaped can come with hit-and-run operations so we have to end everything politically so that we are sure our people can sleep quietly without any threat,' he told the media.
Mende added that rebels' military leader Sultani Makenga has been among those who have crossed the border either to Rwanda or Uganda.
Other reports said the rebels had burned dozens of vehicles and their munitions depots before escaping from the battlefield.
The M23 has reportedly conceded defeat, saying it would lay down arms and demobilize the militants.
The Congolese army launched a major offensive late last month in a bid to end the M23 rebellion.
On Sunday, M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa called for ceasefire in an attempt to revive peace talks with the Congolese government, which broke down in October over the rebels' demands for amnesty.
This comes while Kinshasa has rejected the call for a truce.
On Monday, the United Nations special force in eastern DR Congo joined government forces against the besieged M23 rebels.
MRS/PR/SS
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