Kampala — The M23 rebel delegation at the ongoing dialogue with the DR Congo government has split into two factions following last week's internal clashes within the rebel group's high command.
Last week, the rebels clashed in eastern Congo after the M23 military command led by Col. Sultani Makenga sacked the political leader Jean Marie Runiga for his links with Gen. Bosco Ntaganda who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This prompted the rebel fighters to turn their weapons on each other.
The New Vision has learnt that the M23 delegation at the talks taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo now has two conflicting spokespersons.
According to the Congolese online newspaper Kongo Times yesterday reported that Bertrand Bisimwa is now speaking for Gen. Makenga's faction, while Seraphin Mirindi is speaking for the deposed Runiga.
The Congolese media reported by Makenga on Wednesday called a meeting at Bunagana in North Kivu Province to review the composition of the M23 delegation to continue the dialogue with the government delegation.
Rev. Fr. Apollinaire Malu Malu, the deputy chief negotiator for the DRC government delegation said that he had contacted the chief facilitator Dr. Crispus Kiyonga to know what happens next on the agenda, given what has happened on the rebel side.
On Sunday, minister Kiyonga was not available to comment on the developments unfolding at the dialogue.
However, the spokesperson for the dialogue, who is also the director of the Uganda Media Centre, Fred Opolot confirmed that the talks are affected by the M23 rebel's split.
At least 4,000 refugees have crossed into Uganda through the Bunagana border in Kisoro district fleeing from the M23 rebel clashes, according to the Uganda Red Cross.
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