M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which at one point occupied a regional capital of Goma, have announced an end to its almost 2 years of insurgent struggle stating that they are ready to search for a political solution to the root causes which led to its creation. The end of the rebellion, however, came just hours after the government forces claimed total victory after driving the rebels from their last two strongholds.

The defeat of the M23 came after a two-week long offensive in which the government forces cornered the M23 insurgents in heavily wooded hills along the border with Uganda and Rwanda. The rebels were then driven out from Tshanzu and Runyoni, both hilltops which were considered to be their last strong holds.

Congolese children play on a destroyed military tank, abandoned by the M23 rebel fighters who surrendered in Kibumba, near the eastern town of Goma November 6, 2013. Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebel group on Tuesday called an end to a 20-month revolt after the army captured its last hilltop strongholds, raising hopes for peace in a region where millions have died in nearly two decades of violence. (REUTERS/Kenny Katombe)

"The last elements of the M23 have abandoned their positions in Runyonyi and Chanzu under pressure from FARDC (government forces) who have just entered there," a government spokesman is reported to have said in a text message to AFP.

"They burned 42 vehicles and their munitions depots, they took off in all directions, each for himself and God for all," a Congolese army officer is reported to have told AFP.

He added that "the fighting had lasted all night".

Following the imminent defeat the M23 made its announcement in a statement.

"The chief of staff and the commanders of all major units are requested to prepare troops for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration on terms to be agreed with the government of Congo," M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in the statement announcing the end of the rebellion.

UN special force in eastern Congo participated in the direct combat against the besieged M23 rebels in a final bid to end the armed rebellion by the insurgent group.

Following the announcement, Martin Kobler, head of a 19,850-member U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, said attention would now be on the smaller armed groups operating in the lawless east, including the Rwandan Hutu FDLR.

"We have teeth and we are using those teeth," Kobler said in Pretoria, referring to the 3,000-strong Intervention Brigade.

The defeat of the M23 marks a turning point in the history of Congo. About a year ago, the M23 rebels had overwhelmed U.N. peacekeepers and the Congolese army to capture Goma, the largest town in eastern Congo. The capture of Goma by M23 led to the deployment of a new U.N. Intervention Brigade to fight alongside the Congolese army.

Diplomatic pressure was also put on neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda not to meddle in the conflict. As the tide began to change against the M23, the group was faced defections and factional fighting.

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