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                           DRC Rebels Replace Leader

   by VOA News

   Congolese rebel group M23 has replaced leader Jean-Marie Runiga,
   accusing him of "high treason," embezzlement and deceit.
   The group released a statement saying Runiga allowed Bosco Ntaganda, a
   former Congolese general, to influence high-level decisions and create
   unrest among the rebels.  They say Runiga was also unable to carry out
   the group's political aims.
   Bertrand Bisimwa, M23's political spokesman, confirmed the leadership
   change to VOA's French to Africa service, and said Runiga may have fled
   to join Ntaganda.
   At least eight people died in fighting late Sunday between what sources
   said were those loyal to M23 military chief General Sultani Makenga and
   supporters of another leader.
   The rebels have appointed Makenga as their new interim chief.
   The statement late Wednesday says the rebels want to continue peace
   efforts amid "positive signals" from the national and international
   community.  They say they want to ensure a "peaceful and sustainable
   resolution" to unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
   Leaders from Africa's Great Lakes region are set to meet in Kampala on
   March 15 to continue talks with M23.  Members from 11 countries signed
   a peace deal Sunday aimed at ending decades of conflict in the
   mineral-rich eastern portion of the DRC.
   The country has endured armed conflicts for more than two decades,
   including the latest eruption of violence last April.  The M23 rebels
   captured several cities in November, demanding the government fully
   implement a 2009 peace deal designed to integrate rebels into the
   Congolese army.
   The United Nations has imposed sanctions against M23 as a group, as
   well as individual measures against both Runiga and Makenga.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/drc-rebels-replace-leader_runiga/1612
   358.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/drc-rebels-replace-leader_runiga/1612358.html