AFTER a run of defeats on the battlefields of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, M23 rebels effectively threw in the towel on Tuesday.But lasting peace will require United Nations-backed government troops to acquire Rwanda’s buy-in by swiftly neutralising other armed groups terrorising civilians in the mineral-rich region.The M23 fighters, who ruled the roost less than six months ago, have lost all the towns they previously occupied. An African summit in Pretoria on Monday night showed whatever political sympathy they enjoyed had all but evaporated."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," M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in a statement on Tuesday.The wording was less than what the international community had demanded — namely a formal declaration of the end of the 20-month rebellion. But delegates at the summit were tr...
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