M23 rebels call for ceasefire

KINSHASA

The March 23 Movement (M23) is calling for a ceasefire in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, after the rebel group suffered the biggest blow since surfacing in April 2012.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in a statement on Monday that he had ordered all troops of the Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC), a military branch of M23, to immediately stop hostilities against the DR Congo Armed Forces (FARDC) and avoid engaging in any acts that violate the order.

The M23 statement said the ARC commander and all heads of other big units were urged to ensure troops under their command strictly observe the order.

FARDC, supported by the intervention brigade of the UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO), has launched attacks against M23 rebels and managed to dislodge the rebels from almost all positions they had been holding for the last 18 months.

Currently, the M23 rebels have retreated to Mbuzi and Runyoni hills where the government army will soon launch the final attack, according to the FARDC spokesman in North Kivu province, Oliver Hamuli. (READ: DR Congo army launches assault on last rebel holdouts)

The rebel group also urged facilitators of the talks and special envoys of the international community to take note of "government's refusal to end the conflict through peaceful means, despite Sunday's agreement on all issues that had been raised during Kampala talks."

"M23 is ready to unconditionally sign the peace agreement proposed in Kampala on Sunday, given that the agreement was drafted by both parties to the talks," the statement said.

For the last 10 months, the M23 rebels and the Congolese government have been seeking a peaceful solution to end the conflict in North Kivu province.