Rebels from the M23 movement, after capturing the town of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), called for direct peace talks with the Congolese authorities, the Rwandan newspaper New Times reports.
⠀
The Ministry of Communications and Communications of the DR Congo said on Sunday evening that “the Rwandan army and its auxiliary troops (which means M23 units) entered the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, in the morning.”
⠀
At the same time, the M23 rebels issued a statement claiming that its forces had entered Bukavu to “restore security” and “help the population.”
⠀
⠀
“The movement has renewed its call for dialogue with the Government in Kinshasa to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict and implement governance reforms,” the Rwandan newspaper writes.
⠀
Earlier, the Government of DR Congo refused to negotiate with the rebels. After the loss of Bukavu, it stated that it was doing everything possible to restore order, security and territorial integrity. Authorities in Kinshasa also urged Bukavu residents to “stay at home and avoid any risk of contact with the occupying forces.”
⠀
After the failure of mediation efforts under the auspices of Angola, the M23 rebel movement has resumed its offensive in eastern DRC in recent weeks. The republic’s authorities accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebels and are calling on it to withdraw troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda denies all charges.
⠀⠀
In late January, the rebels announced the capture of the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
⠀
Then their detachments began to advance in the direction of Bukavu.
