M23 Rebellion: EAC Leaders Meet in Nairobi Amid Lull in Fighting 

East African leaders are converging in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to discuss restoration of peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), just days after ordering a ceasefire between Congolese forces and M23 rebels. 

The East African Community (EAC) said Monday’s third Inter-Congolese dialogue “aims at accelerating the ongoing regional efforts to attain sustainable peace and security in Eastern DRC as elaborated by various efforts of the EAC Heads of State.”

The regional leaders who are attending the meeting physically include are Burundi’s, Evariste Ndayishimiye, Kenyan leader, William Ruto and the regional facilitator of the talks, Uhuru Kenyatta.

Rwanda’s leader. Paul Kagame. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi are attending the meeting virtually. 

Also attending are representatives from the Government of Tanzania and South Sudan. 

ChimpReports understands that the weekend witnessed a lull in fighting in North Kivu where the Congolese army has been battling the M23 rebels.

Last week, a meeting of regional leaders in Angola saw a cease-fire agreement imposed on the M23 terrorist group, effective Friday, November 25 at 6:00 p.m.

The agreement also requires the M23 to withdraw from occupied areas such as Bunagana as of November 27.

The rebels said in a statement on Friday that they agreed to a ceasefire during meetings held on April 20 in Uganda which was not respected by the DRC Government and other militia groups.

“Yet, again the M23 accepted the ceasefire as recommended by heads of state. However, request the DRC Government to respect the said ceasefire. Otherwise, the M23 reserves itself the full right to defend itself and to protect the civilian populations against any violations of the agreed ceasefire,” said M23.

The rebels also condemned what they described as the “implementation of the ongoing planned genocide by the DRC Government and its allies. Consequently, it shall not stand by and witness the slaughtering of Congolese citizens.”

It remains unclear if M23 rebels will be looped into the Nairobi talks.

DRC Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said Kinshasa did not intend to hold talks with ‘terrorists’.

The M23 rebels have asked to meet the mediator of the talks – former Kenyan President – Uhuru Kenyatta.

The agreement signed by the five participants at the mini-summit in Angola, including three current heads of state, includes the disarmament and cantonment of M23 elements under the control of the FARDC, the EAC regional force, the ad hoc verification mechanism and Monusco.

This mini-summit also demanded the cessation of all politico-military support to the M23 and all other local and foreign armed groups operating in the eastern DRC and the region.

Rwanda is accused of supporting M23 rebels, a claim Kigali denies.