A military parade by the M23 rebel group in control of mineral-rich eastern Congo over the weekend raised concerns among some residents and experts over the future of an impending peace deal between Congo and the rebels’ main backers, Rwanda.
The deal will shape the fate of the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, which launched blitz attacks in January to take over key cities including Goma and Bukavu while the Congolese army swiftly retreated.
U.N. experts said the M23 was backed by thousands of troops from neighboring Rwanda.
A central plank of the deal, which is expected to be signed in Washington in a few weeks, is the withdrawal of Rwanda’s support for the group.
The deal is also expected to stipulate the concession of territories back to the Congolese authorities.