Diplomats: DRC's M23 'finished'

[muriel_volestrangler]

Government forces backed by UN troops have defeated the M23 rebel movement that threatened towns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, diplomats at the United Nations said on Monday.

"Practically all M23 positions were abandoned yesterday (Sunday), except for a small triangle at the Rwandan border," Martin Kobler told the UN Security Council by video-link, according to diplomats.

The French ambassador to the United Nations, who was at Kobler's closed door briefing, confirmed his report.

"We can say today that the M23 is finished, militarily," Gerard Araud told reporters. "Most of the positions held by the M23 have been retaken by Democratic Republic of Congo forces."

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-10-29-diplomats-drcs-m23-finished

Also:

Congo-Kinshasa: Mass Graves Found As Troops Retake Congo City From Rebels

Mass graves have reportedly been found in the Democratic Republic of Congo as fighting continues between government troops and M23 rebels. The Congolese army have retaken a key town previously held by the insurgents.

Troops retrieved control of a major military base at Rumangabo on Monday, having re-taken Kiwanja, Rutshuru, Buhumba and Kibumba over the weekend. Located around 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Goma and the strategic capital of the North Kivu province, Rumangabo has been controlled by M23 rebels for just over a year.

"I confirm that we have just taken the city of Rumangabo," Congolese military spokesman Lt. Col. Olivier Hamuli said. &quot We) entered the city at 11 a.m. and were met by the applause of the population."

http://allafrica.com/stories/201310290207.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Congo's M23 rebels declare ceasefire but shelling continues

(Reuters) - Congo's M23 rebels declared a ceasefire on Sunday after a string of defeats by government forces, but clashes with the Congolese army continued in the steep, forested hills to where the rebels have withdrawn.
...
"We call on the facilitator of the Kampala peace talks to immediately put in place a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire," the rebels said in statement.

However, a Reuters journalist near the frontline at Runyoni, in North Kivu province, said the two sides were shelling each other's positions on Sunday afternoon.

"With this kind of thing there is always a delay between the order being given and the reality on the ground," said government spokesman Lambert Mende. "In any case the army will continue to pursue the demobilisation and disarmament of the rebels."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/03/uk-congo-democratic-rebels-idUKBRE9A207X20131103