The M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo announced a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, February 3, just a week after seizing the strategic city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated that the ceasefire, declared for humanitarian reasons, would take effect on Tuesday, February 4. He emphasized that the decision was in response to “the humanitarian crisis caused by the Kinshasa regime.”
This announcement came amid reports of clashes on Sunday and Monday in Kavumu, located about 20 kilometers from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.
Kanyuka clarified, “We have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas.” He condemned the Congolese army’s continued use of military aircraft at Kavumu Airport, alleging that bombs loaded there were killing civilians in areas under rebel control. He further stressed the rebels’ commitment to “protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions.”
Part of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), the M23 rebels took control of Goma on January 27 after more than three years of conflict with the Congolese army. The government coalition fighting against the rebels includes forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), European mercenaries, Burundian troops, and armed groups such as the FDLR and Wazalendo.
Following the fall of Goma, hundreds of European mercenaries reportedly surrendered and flew back through Rwanda on Saturday.
Kanyuka called for the withdrawal of the SADC Mission (SAMIDRC), asserting that their presence was no longer justified.
Leaders from SADC and the East African Community (EAC) are set to convene in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to discuss collective strategies to address the ongoing crisis in DR Congo, following respective summits last week that urged a cessation of hostilities.
