Congo rebels say peace pact near

M23 cites ‘major concessions’ in agreement with government

KINSHASA, Congo - The M23 rebels said Saturday that they expected to sign a peace accord with Democratic Republic of Congo’s government in the Ugandan capital Kampala “in the coming hours.”

“The M23 has made major concessions on its political grievances in order to make possible the signing of the peace agreement in Kampala in the coming hours,” according to an emailed statement from rebel leader Bertrand Bisimwa. It didn’t provide further details.

Congolese Media Minister Lambert Mende said by phone Saturday from Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, that the two sides possibly could sign sign a document Saturday outlining “the conclusions of discussions.” Hedeclined to give further details.

M23 rebels deserted Congo’s armed forces last year, saying the government hadn’t respected a 2009 peace agreement that saw them integrated into the force. The rebels held the eastern trading hub of Goma for 11 days in November last year before withdrawing under international pressure to begin peace talks.

Heavy fighting resumed in August, with a new United Nations intervention force offering support to Congolesetroops. The U.N. has about 19,000 peacekeepers in Congo, which has struggled to prevent conflict in its eastern region that began nearly two decades ago.

M23’s officer ranks are dominated by ethnic Tutsis, and over the years the group has demanded more protection for minority groups and the return of tens of thousands of Tutsi refugees living in neighboring Rwanda. Congo says M23 is backed by Rwanda, whose government also is dominated by Tutsis. Rwanda denies the allegations.

The U.N. and advocacy groups including Human Rights Watch say the rebels may have committed war crimes by using child soldiers, raping civilians and committing arbitrary executions. They’ve also been involved in mineral smuggling, according to the U.N. Eastern Congo is rich in tin ore, gold and coltan.

Bosco Ntaganda, who is under indictment by the International Criminal Court, led the group until March, when he surrendered to the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. He is now awaiting trial in The Hague.

On Aug. 30, M23 announced it was withdrawing from the front lines after more than a week of bombardment by the army and U.N. peacekeepers. U.N. special envoy Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland, is in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, overseeing the peace talks with representatives from regional organizations including the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region.

Front Section, Pages 8 on 10/20/2013

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