Editor,It’s surprising to learn that about 2,100 Congolese government soldiers and 700 policemen surrendered to the rebel group M23, as the rebel offensive approached Sake about 30 kilometres south of Goma. I think, the rebels should welcome these soldiers with open hands and they should desist fromt torture. They were simply fighting because they had been following orders from top leadership. Africa belongs to us all Africans and there is no reason why we should kill our own people.Mareti Barayagwiza; Gisenyi-------------------------------Editor,The problem in Democratic Republic of Congo will remain as long as the west does not allow President Kabila to get to the root cause of the fighting.The west has their own views and they think the problem in DRC is caused by external aggressors, who should be dealt with instead. And at the same time, President Kabila has to act according to what they tell him.  DRC will be harassed and made irrelevant if this country does not act as dictated by people from Europe or US.Peace is good for the people of Democratic Republic of Congo and the region in general. It’s not only these NGOs or the so called experts who need peace. Any way, where will they get the money from if there is peace in DRC and Africa?Nkusi, Rubavu

(Reaction to the story ‘Over 2,000 DRC soldiers surrender to M23’ published on November 22)