Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero is an evangelical bishop and the former President of the March 23 Movement (M23),[1] a rebel military faction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which took control of the eastern city of Goma in November, 2012.[2] He previously rejected a deadline by a regional summit in Uganda for the M23 movement to withdraw from Goma saying "withdrawal from Goma should not be a prerequisite for talks but rather should come as the result of talks".[2] M23 withdrew from Goma in December following negotiations.[3] He was sacked from the movement after he signed an accord on February 24 pledging to end the conflict.[4] In a statement signed by M23's military leader, Sultani Makenga, he was accused of treason because of "financial embezzlement, divisions, ethnic hatred, deceit and political immaturity".[5] A faction of the M23 loyal to him, including M23 founder Bosco Ntaganda, have clashed with those loyal to Sultani Makenga.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "M23 rebels set conditions for Goma exit". aljazeera.net. 2012-11-27. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^ a b "DR Congo fighters given deadline to exit Goma". aljazeera.net. 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ^ "Rebels in DR Congo withdraw from Goma". BBC News. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "DR Congo: Army 'seizes' eastern towns held by M23 rebels". bbcnews.com. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "DR Congo: Bunagana residents flee M23 clashes to Uganda". bbcnews.com. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "DR Congo: M23's Makenga and Runiga factions 'clash'". bbcnews.com. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.