Kinshasa: A rebel group in eastern DR Congo has announced a humanitarian ceasefire after deadly clashes with government forces.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) claimed control of Goma last week following intense battles with the Congolese military.
Hundreds have died in the ongoing conflict, leading the rebels to call for an immediate halt to hostilities.
The ceasefire will take effect Tuesday, according to an AFC statement issued on Monday.
Rebel Statement
The AFC said the truce aims to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by the actions of the Kinshasa government.
The statement accused DR Congo’s leadership of escalating violence, worsening conditions for civilians caught in the fighting.
M23, a major faction within the AFC, has been involved in multiple offensives in the region.
The group insists that its objective is to bring stability to eastern DR Congo.
Foreign Involvement The Congolese government and international bodies have blamed Rwanda for backing the M23 rebels.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied involvement, despite accusations from several regional leaders and intelligence reports.
Previous diplomatic efforts to address Rwanda’s alleged role have not yielded any concrete resolutions.
The Rwandan government has called for dialogue rather than military action to resolve tensions.
Military Response The Congolese army has yet to respond to the ceasefire offer from the AFC coalition.
Past ceasefire agreements have collapsed, leading to renewed hostilities between government forces and rebels.
Officials in Kinshasa remain skeptical about the rebels’ intentions and demand their immediate withdrawal from Goma.
The military continues to deploy reinforcements in eastern DR Congo, preparing for further confrontations.
Humanitarian Crisis Thousands have fled their homes due to the ongoing violence, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
Aid organizations warn of severe food shortages and inadequate medical assistance in displacement camps.
The United Nations has urged both sides to prioritize civilian protection and allow humanitarian access.
If the ceasefire holds, relief agencies may be able to provide much-needed support to affected populations.
Uncertain Future Despite the truce call, uncertainty remains over whether hostilities will truly cease in the coming days.
The Congolese military’s response will determine if the fighting subsides or escalates further.
Regional leaders are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a sustainable peace agreement.
For now, civilians remain caught in the crossfire, facing an uncertain and dangerous future.
