Rebel Alliance Declares Unilateral Ceasefire in Eastern DR Congo, Citing Humanitarian Concerns
The alliance of rebel groups that captured the strategic eastern city of Goma has declared a ceasefire in the region for humanitarian reasons.
The pause in the rebels’ fight with the Congolese army is set to begin on Tuesday, following hundreds of thousands of people being displaced and amid mounting calls for a safe passage of aid.
The Congo River Alliance includes the Rwanda-backed M23, who have been gaining territory in other eastern parts of the country while advancing on South Kivu’s provincial capital, Bukavu.
However, the rebel alliance has stated that it has no intention of seizing Bukavu or any other areas.
M23 is a rebel group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The group was formed in 2012 as a splinter faction from the 'National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP)'.
M23's primary goal is to establish an independent state within eastern DRC, based on ethnic and linguistic ties.
The group has been responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including mass killings, rape, and forced displacement of civilians.
‘We reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,’ said Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 rebel spokesperson.
The conflict in Goma has led to a humanitarian crisis, with at least 900 people killed in last week’s fighting.
The figure was presented by the UN’s humanitarian affairs agency (OCHA), citing the World Health Organization (WHO).
The M23 rebel group captured Goma on January 27, which is Congo’s largest city in the east and a major hub for humanitarian operations.
The escalation has ignited fears of the conflict between 1996 and 2003 that left millions dead, mostly from hunger and disease.
The M23 rebels are backed by nearly 4,000 soldiers from neighboring Rwanda, which has raised concerns about the role of foreign forces in the conflict.
Located in East Africa, Rwanda is a small landlocked country with a population of approximately 12 million people.
The country has a complex history, marked by colonial rule and the devastating '1994 genocide' that left over 800,000 people dead.
Today, Rwanda is known for its rapid economic growth, led by agriculture, tourism, and information technology sectors.
The government has implemented various initiatives to promote development, including infrastructure projects and education programs.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has requested an emergency session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to address the situation in Goma.
The session is set to take place on February 7 in Geneva and will focus on ‘the human rights situation in eastern DRC.’
Established in 2006, the UN Human Rights Council is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.
The council consists of 47 member states elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms.
Its main functions include addressing human rights violations, investigating complaints, and making recommendations to improve human rights situations.
The council also plays a key role in promoting universal ratification of international human rights treaties.
