nkunda

Rwanda would break up the CNDP and hand over Mr Nkunda, with a proviso that the CNDP's fighters would be integrated into the Congolese army.

Mr Kabila is now sending soldiers, tanks and helicopter gunships to the east, threatening to squash Mr Nkunda for good.

But Tom Cargill, director of the Africa programme at Chatham House, suspects Nkunda may hope to use China as a smokescreen.

And if violence were to erupt again, the UN would probably be asked by Mr Kabila to help him arrest rebel leaders such as Mr Nkunda.

Mr Nkunda has so far failed to launch his widely expected attack on Goma.

Congo's President Kabila is now using them as proxies against General Nkunda's National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP).

General Nkunda deserves to be in the dock at The Hague for war crimes.

What is unclear is the extent of the relationship between the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, with Mr Nkunda.

President Kabila's government says it wants Mr Nkunda arrested for war crimes, but Mr Kabila has also sent an envoy to negotiate.

Mr Nkunda slipped into Rwanda last week still believing that his furtive friendship with Mr Kagame would protect him.

Last week, Nkunda's forces pulled back from front lines near the town of Kanyabayonga, north of Goma.

General Nkunda deserves to be in the dock atThe Hague for war crimes.

The Congolese Tutsi warlord Laurent Nkunda (under house arrest in Rwanda since 2009) sent CNDP troops into Shasha in 2008.

Analysts think that is untrue, but generally agree that Mr Nkunda is largely following his own agenda.

Congo Rebel Leader Laurent Nkunda