The majority of these deserters were civilians forcibly recruited or former military and police officers abducted in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, which were recaptured by the rebels earlier this year. Their testimonies denounce the abuses and inhumane treatment suffered within the rebel group.

Amid ongoing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, two officers and 36 fighters from the M23 rebel movement have laid down their arms in the provinces of North and South Kivu.

The DRC's 34th Military Region confirmed on Monday the surrender of two officers, including a major and a captain, as well as 36 M23 fighters in the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi, and Walikale in North Kivu, as well as in Kalehe in South Kivu. According to the military command, the majority of these individuals were forcibly conscripted civilians or former soldiers and police officers abducted in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, which were captured by the rebels earlier this year.

"Their testimonies confirm the inhumane treatment and abuses perpetrated within the rebel movement," said Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesperson for the 34th Military Region. One of the deserters, Johnny Makala, told local media that he had fled "to save his life."

Brigadier General Constantin Muyuwa, commander of the 34th Military Region, called on other M23 members still active to follow in the footsteps of the deserters and lay down their arms.

This surrender comes in the wake of an agreement signed last week in Doha between the Congolese government and several rebel groups, including the M23, aimed at establishing a ceasefire monitoring mechanism. This agreement follows the Declaration of Principles signed in July, but clashes continue, with each side accusing the other of ceasefire violations.

Last weekend, the M23 accused government forces of bombing its positions using two Sukhoi-25 aircraft. Meanwhile, the UN, Kinshasa, and other international actors accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, an accusation formally denied by Kigali.