The demands of M23 are straightforward. They say they do not want to fight and realize they stand to lose the war of weaponry. M23 would like to see a return to the Amani Leo accord and would also like the soldiers to be paid and fed. M23 makes it very clear that they are rejecting any and all affiliation, forced or otherwise, with the warlord Ntaganda.
Is the Congolese government of Joseph Kabila using the international press to wage a propaganda war against the new rebel fighters in eastern Congo? This is possible and probable given the amount of disinformation disseminated by the foreign press in recent days. Check these stories by Reuters and the BBC and draw your own conclusions.
In other unproven accusations the Governor of North Kivu province, Julien Paluku, and the Congo's Minister of Communications suggested to the international press that M23 was in an alliance with the FDLR (remnants of the Rwandan genocidaires). Those without an understanding of the history of the war in this region are reporting this accusation as "fact." It is improbable that Tutsi fighters would align themselves with Hutu genocidaires.
M23 responded, but the response has not been widely reported.
The M23 whose political struggle is aimed and first securing the Congolese people against these genocidal forces cannot, in any way, cooperate with them or make peace with them. M23 does not intend to end its struggle before FDLR are properly brought to account for the acts and exactions committed by them against the Congolese civilian population. The Congolese Government is aware of this.
The international press, instead of speculation, may want to contact M23 directly. Their phone number is on the last of the thirteen communiquà ©s M23 has offered to a disinterested press.
You can hear them now.
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