CEOAFRICA gathered that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed victory over M23 rebels in the east of the country.

According to a government spokesman, the remaining rebels had either fled across the border or surrendered and their weapons had been destroyed overnight.

African leaders meeting on Monday in the South African capital, Pretoria, called on the M23 rebels to declare publicly an end to their insurgency.

A statement released after the summit said if they did so a peace agreement could be signed in five days' time.

 Clashes have however continued on Monday and rebels shelled the town, killing four people. The violence prompted thousands of people to flee into Uganda.

The fighting came a day after M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa called for a ceasefire to "allow the continuation of the political process".

He urged rebel commanders to "ensure the strict observance of this order".

But Kinshasa rejected the call for an armistice.