The Congolese M23 rebel group has boosted its delegation in a bid to resume the faltering peace negotiations with the Kinshasa government in Kampala.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisiimwa
The head of M23 delegation René Abandi said the team has been strengthened to include new members who include the M23 Executive Secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa and the group’s spokesperson Amani Kabasha.
Addressing a press conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Abandi said that M23 remains committed to finding a solution to end fighting through political dialogue.
He however blamed the Congolese government delegation of failure to turn up for the Kampala negotiations and instead turning guns in Goma, and bombing civilians especially children.
“We are committed to dialogue and peace although the Kinshasa government side is not here for the talks. We remain committed to the talks and our emphasis is on signing a bilateral ceasefire with the Kinshasa.”
Previously, M23 has demanded for a formal truce to be signed with the DR Congo Government. However, the Kinshasa prefers the matter be addressed by the military chiefs under the regional Joint Verification Mechanism of ICGLR.
The peace negotiations began after regional Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) met in Kampala November last year to seek solutions to the security situation in Eastern DRC.
Uganda, which is currently holding the chairpersonship of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), has been hosting the negotiations at Speke Resort Munyonyo since December last year.
However, the preliminary negotiations faltered after the two warring sides failed to agree on adoption of rules of procedure and agenda including issues of ceasefire and general amnesty.
Abandi attacked the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) for advancing war instead of finding a political solution which the ICGLR regional bloc has also opted for.
By Raymond Baguma,The New Vision
