By Jane Nambi

The peace talks between the M23 rebels and the DR Congo government stalled for sometime but the rebels promised to resume the talks if the Congo government signs a ceasefire.

They want the government to also stop reinforcing the FADRC defences. While addressing journalists yesterday, Thursday 3rd, rebel leader Jean-Marie Runiga told journalists in Bunagana, “If they don’t (DRC government) sign a ceasefire at the Kampala talks, our delegation will come back. We are ready to defend ourselves if they attack us.” He said that resumption of talks on January 4th is significant because it will be a national holiday when Congolese commemorate those who died for their independence.

“We respect those who died for our country; and it’s not true that we are working for the balkanization of Congo. We are a revolutionary movement in Congo and we will not waiver in our quest for liberation of Congo,” Runiga said. He went on to add that while they move to Kampala for the talks, the FADRC soldiers are sending reinforcements are to the areas of Goma, Mudja, Rusayo, Kanyaki, Tongo, Rwindi, Ishasha, Nyamirima and Sharu, with support from the Hutu FDLR and Mai mai militia. “We are observing flights in areas that M23 controlled. This is a provocation. MONUSCO confirms that over 4,000 FDLR have been dropped by Congolese government in some of these places,” Runiga said.

There were recent sanctions by the UN Security Council Runiga to which he said, “M23 has been asking for dialogue and ceasefire, but we are being paid by sanctions. We respect the UN, but it is better they go for an investigation because we don’t trust NGOs which give them these reports,” he said.