The M23 armed group said it will pause its advance across DR Congo for humanitarian reasons.
Published On 4 Feb 2025
Rwanda-backed forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced that they will pause their advance across the east of the country for humanitarian reasons.
The AFC/M23 rebel coalition announced late on Monday that it would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting on Tuesday. The group, backed by thousands of troops from neighbouring Rwanda, seized Goma, the main city in eastern DRC, last week, with the United Nations estimating 900 people were killed, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
Calls have been mounting for a humanitarian corridor to be established to allow people to escape the fighting. However, there was no immediate comment from the DRC government in Kinshasa on the announcement, and it is unclear if the country’s military will respect the ceasefire.
“The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) informs the public that in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the regime in Kinshasa it declares a ceasefire starting 4 February 4 2025 for humanitarian reasons,” the rebels said in a statement posted on X.
COMMUNIQUÉ OFFICIEL DE L’ALLIANCE FLEUVE CONGO (AFC/M23) DU 3 FÉVRIER 2025 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TcsJ4g9noE
— Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) February 3, 2025
Having taken Goma, a city of two million people and home to huge mineral wealth, the rebels had in recent days advanced towards Bukavu, another regional hub in eastern DRC, having previously declared their goal to sweep across DRC to take the capital.
However, in their statement, they declared that they would not attack the provincial city.
“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and d