M23 rebels ‘ready to disarm’

Democratic Republic of Congo FARDC army soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck as they head towards the Mbuzi hilltop, near Rutshuru, on November 4, 2013.

Democratic Republic of Congo FARDC army soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck as they head towards the Mbuzi hilltop, near Rutshuru, on November 4, 2013.

Published Nov 5, 2013

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Kinshasa - The Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebel group said on Tuesday that it will end its 20-month insurgency with immediate effect and seek a political solution to the crisis in the east of the country.

“To this end, the chief of general staff and the commanders of all major units are requested to prepare troops for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration on terms to be agreed with the government of Congo,” M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in a statement.

Bisimwa said the group was prepared to pursue its goals “through purely political means”.

The move ends the insurgency that has wracked the region for 20 months. - Reuters and AFP

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