Jean-Marie Runiga

Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero is a Congolese evangelical bishop and the former rebel leader. He served as President of the March 23 Movement (M23),^[1] a rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 2012 to 2013.^[2] He previously rejected a deadline by a regional summit in Uganda for the M23 movement to withdraw from Goma saying "withdrawal from Goma should not be a prerequisite for talks but rather should come as the result of talks".^[2] M23 withdrew from Goma in December following negotiations.^[3] He was sacked from the movement after he signed an accord on February 24 pledging to end the conflict.^[4] In a statement signed by M23's military leader, Sultani Makenga, he was accused of treason because of "financial embezzlement, divisions, ethnic hatred, deceit and political immaturity".^[5] A faction of the M23 loyal to him, including M23 founder Bosco Ntaganda, has clashed with those loyal to Sultani Makenga.^[6]