The ex-rebel movement in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), M23, wants to participate in a government of national unity to consolidate peace in the region, its leader Pastor Jean-Marie Runiga said on Thursday.

The M23 rebel movement was militarily defeated last year by the DR Congo Armed Forces (FARDC) supported by the UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO).

"The people who fought for peace should equally participate in the national unity government to consolidate peace," Runiga, who is living in exile in Rwanda, said in a statement.

The president of the ex-rebel movement said M23 will be part of the national unity government in conformity with the commitments made by the government.

Runiga said the international community and the DR Congo government have not yet fixed a date for the repatriation of ex- combatants of M23, who are currently living in Uganda and Rwanda.

In February, Congolese President Joseph Kabila promulgated an amnesty law for those who had engaged in acts of insurrection, war or political revolts between Feb. 18, 2006 and Dec. 20, 2013.