Eastern Congo's M23 rebels threaten to fight new UN brigade due to arrive in coming months

Published January 13, 2015

Rebels in eastern Congo warn they're getting ready to fight against a new United Nations brigade due to arrive in the coming months.

Stanislas Baleke, an official with the M23 rebels, said Tuesday that his men are on high alert and ready to fight.

The threat comes as peace talks appear to have reached a dead end between the rebels and the Congolese government.

The M23 fighters seized the provincial capital of Goma late last year and held it for two weeks before withdrawing.

The U.N. Security Council has authorized a special brigade for eastern Congo whose mandate allows it to actively pursue armed groups in addition to protecting civilians.

Critics, though, say the special troops due to arrive by July may not be enough to stabilize eastern Congo.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/eastern-congos-m23-rebels-threaten-to-fight-new-un-brigade-due-to-arrive-in-coming-months