DRC M23 rebels to withdraw from Walikale in peace gesture

Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of the Congo], March 24: M23 rebels staging an offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will withdraw their forces from the town of Walikale, in support of efforts to address the conflict, a rebel alliance that includes M23 has said.
The Congo River Alliance said in a statement that it had "decided to reposition its forces" from Walikale and surrounding areas. The Congolese government said it hoped the move would be translated into concrete action after M23 pulled out of planned talks with Congolese authorities in Angola at the last minute due to European Union sanctions on some of its leaders and Rwandan officials.
It would have been its first direct engagement with DRC's government after President Felix Tshisekedi reversed his longstanding refusal to speak to the rebels. This decision was in line with a ceasefire declared in February and in support of peace initiatives, the alliance said in a statement that was greeted with scepticism by DRC government army officers. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune