The much-anticipated dialogue between the M23 rebels and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is hanging in balance once again after a twist in agreed terms and conditions.
There has been a lull after the guns went silent in Rutshuru, North Kivu Province, in anticipation of talks between the two sides, months after the rebel group conquered the main Uganda-DR Congo border of Bunagana and neighboring areas. Even the recent deployment of Kenyan troops in Eastern DR Congo had not yet created any impact as a face-off between the rebels has not yet started as they wait for the dialogue to begin.
However, Professor Serge Tshibangu, the DRC special representative of the Head of State at the East African Community told a United Nations Radio Station in North Kivu this week that the M23 rebels can only be admitted to the Nairobi process after withdrawing from all positions they are currently occupying.
According to Tshibangu, rebels must first withdraw from, in particular, Bunagana and all the localities they have occupied for four months, or else there will be no negotiations. END
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