Uganda, Nov. 27 -- As the rebel group M23 continued to send mixed signals on a ceasefire call whose ultimatum ended on Friday evening, the business losses continued to stack up at the Ishasha border checkpoint.

The checkpoint- in Nyanga Sub-county, Kanungu District-had been the solitary entry point for cargo trucks en route to Goma City in the DR Congo. This followed the capture of both Bunagana and Busanza in June as well as Kitagoma in October by the M23 rebels.

Bunagana was by presstime one of the areas that Kenyan troops were awaiting clearance to venture into. This was after the ceasefire call-a precondition for dialogue-went unanswered. It has since emerged that the M23 rebels are desirous of meeting Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, the East Af...