Democratic Republic of Congo’s M23 rebel group yesterday 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.

The M23 announced it would disarm and pursue political talks hours after government forces drove the rebels out of the villages of Tshanzu and Runyoni before dawn. A two-week UN-backed offensive had cornered the insurgents in the lush hills along the border with Uganda and Rwanda.

“The chief of staff and the commanders of all major units are requested to prepare troops for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration on terms to be agreed with the government of Congo,” M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said in a statement.

The United States welcomed the declaration as a “significant positive step” for eastern Congo. Millions of people have died from violence, disease and hunger since the 1990s as foreign-backed insurgents have waged a series of rebellions, often for control of the region’s rich deposits of gold, diamonds and tin.

M23’s defeat appeared to vindicate the United Nations’ deployment of a tough new Intervention Brigade this year. But, with dozens of rebel groups still active, pacifying the mineral-rich region at Africa’s heart remains a daunting task.

The M23 is just the latest manifestation of simmering anger with Kinshasa among ethnic Tutsis in eastern Congo. The real test will be whether government and rebels can reach a lasting political deal. M23 took up arms last year when a previous 2009 peace accord with the Tutsi-led CNDP rebels unravelled.

M23’s defeat marked a dramatic turnaround for 42-year-old Kabila. A year ago, his presidency was in tatters after M23 swept aside UN peacekeepers and the army to capture Goma, the largest town in eastern Congo.

That defeat led to the deployment of the new UN Intervention Brigade, an overhaul of the Congolese army, and increased diplomatic pressure on neighbouring Rwanda not to meddle in the conflict, changing the tide of events. M23 has since been riven by defections and factional in-fighting.

Martin Kobler, head of a 19,850-member U. mission in Congo (Monusco), said attention would now turn to the remaining armed groups, including the Rwandan Hutu FDLR and Uganda’s ADF-Nanu.

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