The chief of M23 rebels in Congo has announced that his troops will back off from fighting to allow what it termed as independent investigation into alleged shelling near Goma in Congo and into the borders of Rwanda. There has been fierce exchange of fire between M23 rebels and UN peacekeepers.  The role of Rwanda in supporting the rebels has always  been a question of speculation. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame has constantly denied such claims and distanced himself from offering any support to the rebels against Congolese government.

The M23 general however denied claims by the Congolese government that his troops were backing off due to battle casualties. This comes in the wake of deployment of UN peacekeepers to the region.So far, one UN peace keeper has been killed in the clashes been M23 rebels and UN backed forces. Several other UN peacekeeping forces  are reported to have been injured in the recent heavy artillery  attacks.

The long lasting conflict has been a major cause for loss of many lives and it is yet to be seen  for how long the UN forces will remain vigilant in protecting civilians and M23 commitment to ending the conflict.