According to an AFP journalist, dozens of rebels arrived at Kibumba’s main municipal building in the late morning to participate in the handover ceremony with soldiers from the recently deployed East African Community military force.

M23 representative John Nzenze told reporters he hoped the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government would seize the opportunity to make peace — and warned that the rebels would respond to provocation.

“If we continue to be attacked, do you think we will cross our arms?” Nzenze said.

Kenyan Jeff Nyagah, the force commander, said that the handover was a “positive indicator” for eastern DRC.

He added that M23 fighters are meant to withdraw to positions around Mount Sabyinyo, which demarcates the border between Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.

But the current deployment of M23 fighters is unclear. AFP was unable to confirm whether the rebels left Kibumba after the ceremony, for example.

The DRC has repeatedly accused its smaller central African neighbour Rwanda of backing the M23 group, although the latter denies the charge.