U.N. Says M23 Rebels Massacred At Least 131 In Congo

 

Al Jazeera: M23 rebels killed at least 131 civilians in eastern DRC, UN says 

Victims were ‘arbitrarily executed’ during a massacre in two villages in North Kivu in late November, a preliminary investigation has found. M23 rebels killed at least 131 civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo late last month as part of a campaign of murder, rape, kidnapping and looting, the United Nations has said. Authorities in Kinshasa had earlier said more than 270 people were killed in the M23 attacks in North Kivu province. The group denied being behind the massacre, blaming “stray bullets” for the deaths of just eight civilians.  

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Update: DR Congo conflict: M23 rebels executed over 130 civilians - UN (BBC) 

WNU Editor: The DRC's estimate on the number of people massacred is higher .... DRC estimates 300 villagers killed in massacre by rebels (The Guardian).

No Peace Deal Signed Between DR Congo And M23 Rebels

The Congolese army last month took control of Bunagana, the last redoubt of the M23 rebels [Reuters]

DR Congo Aborts Peace Deal With M23 Rebels -- Al Jazeera

Kinshasa refuses deal, and demands revision of agreement's title before it confirms any peace with rebel group.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has refused to sign a peace deal with the defeated M23 rebel group, after Kinshasa demanded the agreement be named a "declaration" and not an "accord".

"The DRC delegation has aborted the signing of agreement with M23," said the Ugandan government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, on Monday.

"For some strange reason the delegation of the DRC government did not enter the conference room, where the signing ceremony was expected to be," Opondo said.

"They belatedly called for revision of the terms of the agreement and we have adjourned consequently."

However, the DR Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende said the problem had come over the title of the deal.

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More News On The Failure of Signing A Peace Deal Between DR Congo And M23 Rebels

Congo, M23 rebels peace signing delayed over wording of pact -- Reuters
DR Congo, M23 rebels fail to sign peace deal: Uganda -- Global Post/AFP
Congo peace deal postponed over disagreement -- AP
Congo, M23 Fail to Sign Peace Deal -- Voice of America
Peace deal with M23 rebels in Congo delayed -- PBS Newshour
UN and partners voice regret at delay in signing of DR Congo-M23 peace deal -- UN News Centre

M23 Rebel Chief Surrenders In Uganda

DR Congo's M23 Rebel Chief Sultani Makenga 'Surrenders -- BBC

The commander of the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has surrendered in Uganda, sources have told the BBC.

Sultani Makenga is said to have handed himself over along with hundreds of M23 fighters in the Mgahinga National Park.

A Ugandan spokesman said no decision had yet been made on whether he would be handed over to DR Congo.

Earlier this week the M23 said it was ending its insurgency, hours after the DR Congo government claimed victory.

Reports say Col Makenga and about 1,700 fighters have been disarmed and are being held in a secret location.

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More News On The End For The M23 Rebel Movement

Uganda Says Congo’s M23 Leader Surrenders as Rebels Deny Claim -- Bloomberg Businessweek
DR Congo's M23 rebels surrender to Uganda -- AFP
Congo's M23 rebels surrender to Ugandan military -- CBS/AP
Source: Congo Rebel Leader Held in Uganda -- Voice of America
DR Congo rebels surrender in Uganda -- Al Jazeera
Defeated Congolese rebel leader captured in Uganda, officials say -- The Guardian
M23 militants surrender to Ugandan military, surrender weapons -- UPI
Ugandan Officials: M23 Commander, 1,500 Rebels, Surrender -- Voice of America
In East Congo, high drama as long war begins to end -- Christian Science Monitor
Profile: Sultani Makenga, DR Congo's M23 rebel leader -- BBC

Defeated M23 Announce 'End Of Rebellion' In DR Congo

DR Congo M23 Rebels 'End Insurgency' -- BBC

The M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo says it is ending its insurgency, hours after the government claimed military victory.

In a statement, the movement said it would adopt "purely political means" to achieve its goals and urged its fighters to disarm and demobilise.

The government said the last remaining rebels had either surrendered or fled the country overnight.

The army says it will now pursue other rebel groups that do not disarm.

At least 800,000 people have fled their homes since the M23 took up arms in 2012 but several other armed groups still operate in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa announced on Tuesday that "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".

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More News On The M23 Announce 'End Of Rebellion' In DR Congo

Defeated M23 ends rebellion in eastern Congo -- Reuters
M23 rebels announce 'end of rebellion' in DR Congo -- France 24/AFP
M23 fighters in east Congo call end to rebellion -- CBC/AP
M23 Announces End to DRC Rebellion -- Voice of America
Congolese Rebel Group Says It Is Laying Down Arms -- New York Times
Congo’s M23 Says Rebellion Over After Government Victories -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Congo's M23 rebels call off revolt -- The Guardian
DR Congo rebels agree to disarm -- Al Jazeera
M23 ready to drop the gun in East Congo amid hopes for peace -- Mike Pflanz, Christian Science Monitor
Cautious optimism in DR Congo as M23 ends rebellion -- Andrew Harding, BBC

DR Congo M23 Rebels Declare A Ceasefire

DR Congo M23 Rebels Call Truce To Boost Kampala Talks -- BBC

The M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo says it is calling a ceasefire to allow peace talks with with the government to proceed.

After 20 months of fighting, government forces recaptured the rebels' last stronghold in eastern DR Congo.

In a statement, the rebels called on the organisers of the peace talks in neighbouring Uganda to "put in place a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire".

At least 800,000 people have been left homeless since the conflict started.

The M23 launched a rebellion in eastern DR Congo in April 2012.

It is made up of army deserters who say they are fighting for the rights of the minority Tutsi ethnic group.

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More News On The DR Congo M23 Rebels Declaring A Ceasefire

DR Congo rebel leader calls on fighters to lay down arms -- AFP
Congo's M23 rebels declare ceasefire -- Reuters
M23 rebels call for cease-fire with Congo military after offensive sends fighters into hills -- FOX News/AP
DR Congo: M23 rebels declare ceasefire after days of defeats -- The Telegraph
M23 rebels declare ceasefire with DRC government -- Deutsche Welle

Is The M23 Rebel Movement On The Brink Of Defeat In Congo?

M23: On The Brink Of Defeat? -- Al Jazeera

We ask if the might of the Congolese rebel group is waning, or if it can still fight back.

The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are on the brink of defeat, according to the United Nations.

The special envoy told the UN Security Council that the armed rebel group no longer posed a military threat. The M23 rebels abandoned most of their military positions in the eastern Congo after four days of heavy fighting against government soldiers.

Peace talks between the government and M23 broke down last week despite two months of relative calm in region.

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My Comment: This tribal and regional conflict has been going on for decades. It is going to take more than just a few battle victories to claim that the M23 has been defeated.

Thousands Flee Heavy Fighting Between Congo Army And M23 Rebels

DR Congo Army 'Seizes' Bunagana Base From M23 Rebels -- BBC

Government forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have captured Bunagana town, the main base of the M23 rebel group, residents say.

The troops entered the town on the Ugandan border in large numbers as the rebels fled, residents told the BBC.

M23 political leader Bertrand Bisimwa was earlier reported to have crossed into Uganda as Congolese troops advanced on his base.

The M23 launched a rebellion in eastern DR Congo in April 2012.

It is made up of army deserters who say they are fighting for the rights of the minority Tutsi ethnic group.

At least 800,000 people have been left homeless since the conflict started.

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More News On Reports Of Heavy Fighting Between The Congo Army And M23 Rebels

Congo officials: M23 rebel stronghold falls to army as thousands flee to Uganda amid clashes -- Washington Post/AP
Heavy fighting erupts near Congo-Uganda border -- Time/AP
Congo army enters last major rebel-controlled town -- Reuters
DRC troops vow fresh offensive against rebels -- Al Jazeera
Congo Troops Close in on Last Rebel Stronghold -- Wall Street Journal
Fighting Erupts Between Soldiers, M23 in DRC -- Voice of America
Thousands flee DR Congo fighting to Uganda: UN -- New Vision
Zuma calls on Congo rebels to lay down arms -- BDLive

War Returns To The Eastern Congo

New Clashes Between Government, M23 Rebels In DRC -- Voice of America

Renewed fighting has broken out between government and rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just days after peace talks were suspended.

Both sides say the fighting began early Friday in Kanyamohoro, near the eastern city of Goma.

The Congolese army and rebel group M23 accuse each other of launching the first attacks.

Troops with the U.N. mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, are reported to be standing by, ready to intervene if necessary.

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More News On The New Clashes Between Government, M23 Rebels In DRC

Rebels and Congo army clash; Rwanda says it was shelled -- Reuters
Clashes between rebels, army resume in DR Congo -- Global Post/AFP
Renewed fighting breaks out in east Congo after government-rebel peace talks stall -- Washington Post/AP
Heavy Clashes in East Congo After Talks Stall -- Authintmail

Heavy Fighting Reported Between Congo Troops And M23 Rebels

The area seized by the M23 rebels. The Guardian

Congolese Troops Clash With M23 Rebels -- Wall Street Journal

Congolese troops clashed with M23 rebels, ending weeks of a lull in fighting in North Kivu province.

Congolese troops clashed with M23 rebels, ending weeks of a lull in fighting in North Kivu province, amid stalled peace negotiations in neighboring Uganda, both sides said.

Congolese ground troops overran rebel positions at Kanyamahoro, about 16 miles north of the flashpoint city Goma, following a surprise attack early Tuesday, rebel spokesman, Amani Kabasha said. The attack came just a day after the Congolese government accused the rebels of undermining the negotiations in Kampala and imposing illegitimate restrictions on Congolese air space.

“For the past two weeks, the national army has been preparing for war” Mr. Kabasha said. “We are very concerned about this development and we call upon the United Nations to restrain the government side.”

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Update: Congo army, M23 clash in eastern Congo, forcing rebels to retreat farther from Goma -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: It appears that peace talks are now unraveling.

The War In Eastern Congo Grinds On

Congolese soldiers outside Goma: Rwanda claims the DRC has launched 34 attacks on its territory in the past week. Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

DRC's M23 Rebels Announce Suspension of Fighting -- Voice of America

The Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebels say they are suspending fighting with Congo's army and withdrawing from the area where clashes have been heavy in recent days.

M23 chief Bertrand Bisimwa told VOA his fighters are pulling back from their positions in the village of Kanyaruchinya, near Goma, which sits on the Congolese-Rwandan border.

He also said his group has sent a letter to the United Nations asking the body to establish a commission to investigate the shelling across the border into Rwanda.

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More News On The Conflict In Eastern Congo

Congo rebels retreat, as Rwanda says not 'yet' fighting -- AFP
Congo rebels cease combat, pull back from frontline for probe -- Reuters
M23 Rebels Withdraw From Frontlines After Congo Army, UN Assault -- Bloomberg Businessweek
M23 Rebels Withdrawing from Positions in E. Congo -- Voice of America
Rebels in Congo Declare Ceasefire -- Time/AP
Rwanda accuses Congo of rocket attacks over the border -- The Guardian
South Africa warns Congo rebels 'hands off Goma' -- Global Post/AFP
Congo-Kinshasa: Rwanda, M23 and the UNSC -- allAfrica.com
Congo: Why UN peacekeepers have a credibility problem -- Christoph Vogel, The Guardian

Heavy Fighting reported Between Congo's Army And M23 Rebels

DR Congo M23 Rebels Battle Army Troops Near Goma City -- BBC

Rebels and army forces are engaged in heavy fighting near the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The M23 rebels told the BBC that their hill positions had been bombarded most of the night by military planes.

The UN said it was prepared to use "lethal force" to protect civilians if the M23 advanced towards Goma.

The fighting comes as its new 3,000-strong intervention brigade to neutralise and disarm the rebels is approaching full strength.

Last year the rebels pulled out of Goma after briefly seizing the city. Peace talks between the two sides in Uganda have since stalled.

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More News On The Renewed Fighting in Eastern Congo

Congo army, M23 rebels clash for a second day near Goma -- Reuters
DR Congo says 130 dead in army-rebel clashes -- FOX News/AFP
Congo Army Kills 120 M23 Rebels: Spokesman -- ABC News/AP
DRC Forces Repel Latest M23 Rebel Attack -- Voice of America
UN Warns Congolese Rebels Against Advancing on Eastern Town -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Congo Monusco Says Ready to Defend Goma as Fighting Resumes -- Wall Street Journal
DR Congo: UN blue helmets on 'high alert' as M23 rebels advance towards Goma -- UN News Centre
DRC approaching a breaking point -- UPI

M23 Rebels Declare A Truce During The UN Chief's Visit In DR Congo

DR Congo: M23 Rebels Declare Truce For Ban Ki-Moon Visit -- BBC

M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have declared a ceasefire for UN chief Ban Ki-moon's visit to the conflict-hit area, a spokesman for the group says.

Mr Ban has arrived in the regional capital Goma, where one person was killed in a rocket attack on Wednesday.

He was deeply concerned by the renewed fighting, Mr Ban said.

Earlier, the World Bank unveiled a $1bn (£660m) aid package to help DR Congo and its neighbours.

World Bank head Jim Yong Kim, who is also visiting DR Congo, said the money would be used for health, education, cross-border trade and hydroelectricity projects.

At least 20 people have been killed since Monday in heavy fighting between government and M23 forces.

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More News On The UN Chief's Visit To War-Torn Eastern Congo

Congo Fighting Subsides as UN Chief Visits Goma -- Wall Street Journal
M23 rebels announce ceasefire for UN chief's Congo visit -- Reuters
UN chief visits Goma after deadly fighting -- AFP
UN chief arrives in Goma, Congo a day after rockets strike city -- Washington Post/AP
UN Chief Goes to Eastern DRC After Clashes -- Voice of America
Congo fighting persists as UN chief arrives -- AP
UN and World Bank chiefs in DR Congo peace push -- Global Post/AFP
World Bank pledges $1 billion to aid peace in Africa's Great Lakes -- Reuters

Congolese Warlord Of M23 Surrenders At US Embassy In Rwanda

Embassy Surrender Is End Of Line For Congo's "Terminator" -- Reuters

It was a surprisingly meek end of a career for "The Terminator", one of the world's most wanted war crime fugitives.

Bosco Ntaganda, the Rwandan-born Tutsi rebel sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and an alleged leader of the M23 revolt in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, walked into the U.S. embassy in Rwanda on Monday and handed himself over, the U.S. government said.

A State Department spokeswoman said he asked to be taken to the ICC in The Hague. It was an unexpected move by an elusive insurgent chief whose name was widely feared in the Great Lakes borderlands region that has long been a tinderbox of brutal ethnic and political conflict fuelled by mineral riches.

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More News On Congolese Warlord Bosco Ntaganda Surrendering At The US Embassy In Rwanda

Report offers clues to Rwandan warlord’s sudden surrender at U.S. Embassy -- Max Fisher, Washington Post
Warlord surrenders: Congolese warlord surrenders at US Embassy in Rwanda -- Christian Science Monitor
Wanted Congolese Rebel Leader Turns Himself In to U.S. Embassy -- New York Times
Wanted DR Congo rebel surrenders to US embassy in Kigali -- AFP
Warlord Bosco Ntaganda hands himself in at US embassy in Rwanda -- The Guardian
Bosco Ntaganda: Wanted Congolese in US mission in Rwanda -- BBC
Fugitive M23 leader Ntaganda 'surrenders' -- Al Jazeera
Who are DR Congo's M23 rebels? -- Al Jazeera
Profile: Bosco Ntaganda -- Al Jazeera

Security Council Imposes Sanctions On Two DR Congo Rebel Groups

UN Slaps Sanctions On DR Congo Rebels -- Al Jazeera

Security Council blacklists two rebel groups -M23 and FDLR - responsible for war crimes in conflict-ravaged eastern DRC.

The United Nations Security Council has slapped an arms embargo on M23 rebels and their alleged Rwandan allies, the FDLR, amid a flare-up of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern region.

The council committee tasked with monitoring sanctions on the Congo also imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on two key M23 figures: the group's civilian leader Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Badege, a commander suspected of being responsible for the deaths of women and children.

The decision came just hours before Rwanda was set to join the council as a non-permanent member on Tuesday.

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More News On The Security Council Imposing Sanctions On Two DR Congo Rebel Groups

Rebel groups hit with U.N. sanctions over eastern Congo -- Reuters
DR Congo M23 rebels placed under UN sanctions -- BBC
U.N. Security Council imposes arms embargo on Congo rebels -- L.A. Times
UN hits DR Congo rebels with sanctions -- The Australian
UN imposes sanctions on DRC rebels -- Deutsche Welle
UN Sanctions DR Congo M23 Rebels -- RTT
DR Congo welcomes sanctions against rebels -- AFP
East DR Congo militia wants to join peace talks -- AFP
Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge -- NPR

Situation In Eastern DR Congo Still 'Tense'

Situation In DR Congo’s Kivu Provinces Remains Fragile, UN Reports -- UN News Centre

5 December 2012 – The security and humanitarian situation in the Kivu provinces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains fragile, a United Nations spokesperson said today, adding that the world body is continuing to assist the country on both fronts.

The province of North Kivu has been the site of upheaval and a humanitarian crisis recently, with the occupation of its capital city, Goma, by the 23 March Movement (M23) armed group, composed of soldiers who mutinied in April from the DRC national army, known by the French acronym FARDC.

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More News On Eastern DR Congo

Congo-Kinshasa: UN Refugee Agency Concerned With Security, Peacekeepers Report Volatility -- AllAfrica.com
Rape, looting reported in eastern DRC -- UPI
Violence Increasing Against Displaced People in Eastern DRC -- Voice of America
Congo’s M23 rebels say they will talk with President Joseph Kabila’s government in Uganda -- Washington Post/AP
Congo Rebels to Go to Uganda for Negotiations -- ABC News/AP
Peace talks with Congo rebels expected this week -- Reuters
DR Congo rebels, government prepare for peace talks -- Business Recorder
UN Experts: Rwanda Led Rebels in Capture of Goma -- AP
Rwandans Aided Congo Rebel Attack on Goma, UN Is Told -- Bloomberg Businessweek
DR Congo's rebel kaleidoscope -- BBC

DR Congo Troops Re-Enter Goma. M23 Rebels Nearby

Congolese Troops Enter Goma -- Voice of America

Democratic Republic of Congo troops have returned to the eastern city of Goma, although rebels who occupied the city for nearly two weeks remain close by.

Reports from the area said about 600 army troops entered Goma Monday, while government officials also started to return.

​​The M23 rebel group pulled out of the city on Saturday after the brokering of a regional peace deal.

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More News On The War In Eastern Congo

Congo army returns to Goma as M23 demand negotiations -- BBC
Congo back in charge of Goma, U.N. fingers Rwanda again -- Reuters
DR Congo army returns to Goma -- Al Jazeera
Congo army troops return to Goma as rebels remain close -- FOX News/AP
Rwanda, Uganda helped DR Congo rebel offensive: UN experts -- AFP
Rwanda, Uganda helped Congo rebels -- The Australian
Congo's M23 rebels wait for 48-hour deadline to expire -- FOX News/AP
Situation tense in eastern DRC -- UPI
Goma residents fear renewed conflict -- Deutsche Welle
Congo rebels' withdrawal from Goma 'purely tactical', say analysts -- The Guardian
What Does the M23 Want? -- Melanie Gouby, Daily Beast

The Warlord Who Is Leading The Rebels In The Congo Conflict Is Nicknamed 'The Terminator'

General Bosco Ntaganda, dubbed 'the Terminator', is leading a mutiny against the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has sent tens of thousands of villagers fleeing. Photograph: STR New/Reuters

Congo's "The Terminator": At Large But Out Of Sight -- Reuters

(Reuters) - He is one of the most wanted war crimes fugitives in the world and the International Criminal Court lists him as "at large".

Bosco "The Terminator" Ntaganda, the Rwandan-born Tutsi warlord U.N. experts say controls the M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has stayed largely invisible as M23 fighters notch up military success after success.

Ntaganda, wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity - including recruiting child soldiers, murder, rape and sexual slavery - was not sighted among the M23 commanders who paraded victoriously through the eastern Congolese city of Goma on Tuesday after it fell to the rebels.

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My Comment: More news on Bosco "The Terminator" Ntaganda and the role that Rwanda is playing in this rebellion can be read here.

Congo Rebels Vow To Take Over The Country

Congo Rebels, After Victory, Vow To Take The Capital -- New York Times

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo — No visa is necessary to cross this border anymore. Nor do red-eyed soldiers hang around reeking of home-brew. Gone, too, are many of the quasi-government officials who used to buzz around this border post harassing travelers and squeezing out bribes, including one little man who claimed to be a health officer and had “Doc” scribbled in Magic Marker on his coat.

Instead, the doorway to Goma, one of Congo’s largest and most strategic cities, is now manned by lean, young rebels in crisp fatigues. They captured this town on Tuesday, ridding it of an often sloppy and menacing Congolese Army presence, and on Wednesday the rebels announced at a triumphant rally that Goma was just the beginning.

“We’re going to Kinshasa!” vowed Col. Vianney Kazarama, a spokesman for the M23 rebel group.

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More News On The Conflict In The Congo

Rebels threaten wider Democratic Republic of Congo conflict -- CNN
M23 rebels vow to take Congo, as troops defect -- AP
Rebels pledge to 'liberate' Congo after seizing city -- NBC
Congo conflict: Rebels set sights on capital Kinshasa -- Toronto Star
DRC Rebels Vow to Overthrow Government -- Voice of America
UN Warns of ‘External Support’ of DRC Rebels -- Voice of America
U.N. defends failed attempt to halt capture of Congo's Goma -- Reuters
Women and children flee Democratic Republic of Congo after rebels invade Goma -- CNN
DR Congo General sold arms to rebel groups: U.N. report -- Reuters
UN Report: Rwanda Commanding Congo Rebel Force -- AP
UN Forces Reinforced in Goma -- Voice of America
Congo rebellion stretching peacekeeping force -- FOX News/AP
Led by Rwanda, Congo army mutiny became well-armed revolt-UN experts -- Reuters
Congo Army Prepares Response as Goma Fall ‘Threatens’ Kabila -- Bloomberg Businessweek
East African leaders tell rebels to quit Goma -- Al Jazeera
Congo's rebels seek to nurture popular movement -- Reuters
Congo: Will the U.N. take action against rebels' backers? -- Michelle Nichols, Christian Science Monitor
Goma's fall: Could UN troops in Congo have done more to prevent it? -- Mike Pflanz, Christian Science Monitor
UN Condemns Rebels Wreaking Havoc in Congo; US Shields Rwanda's Role -- Evelyn Leopold, Huffington Post