A coalition of rebel factions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, effective Tuesday. The move comes amidst intensifying violence that has already claimed 900 lives and injured nearly 3,000 in the region surrounding Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, which was recently captured by rebel forces.
Humanitarian Ceasefire Declared by Rebels in DR Congo Amid Ongoing Conflict
Humanitarian Ceasefire Declared by Rebels in DR Congo Amid Ongoing Conflict
Rebels in eastern DR Congo announce a ceasefire citing humanitarian concerns as fighting escalates and nations call for intervention.
The rebel alliance, known as the Congo River Alliance and backed by Rwanda's M23, emphasized the need to protect civilians and maintain their positions instead of pursuing further territorial gains. This contradicts previous assertions regarding territorial expansion. The alliance’s declaration comes in the wake of accusations from the alliance against the Congolese military, which they claim has been attacking civilians using air strikes.
Recent clashes have led to the displacement of over 400,000 people in the region since the beginning of 2025, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have called for increased international pressure on Rwanda, advocating for sanctions against the country to curb its alleged military involvement in Congo.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame's ambiguous stance on his troops' presence in Congo raises further concerns, as he maintains that Rwanda's actions are based on its self-defense strategy.
As discussions are set to take place at a regional peace summit in Tanzania, both Congolese and Rwandan leaders are under pressure to seek a resolution to the longstanding conflict, which has persisted for three decades. Given the historical challenges of peace negotiations in the region, there are doubts about the success of these upcoming discussions.
Recent clashes have led to the displacement of over 400,000 people in the region since the beginning of 2025, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have called for increased international pressure on Rwanda, advocating for sanctions against the country to curb its alleged military involvement in Congo.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame's ambiguous stance on his troops' presence in Congo raises further concerns, as he maintains that Rwanda's actions are based on its self-defense strategy.
As discussions are set to take place at a regional peace summit in Tanzania, both Congolese and Rwandan leaders are under pressure to seek a resolution to the longstanding conflict, which has persisted for three decades. Given the historical challenges of peace negotiations in the region, there are doubts about the success of these upcoming discussions.
