GOMA, Congo (AP) — Rebels backed by Rwanda, who took control of a major city in eastern Congo, announced a unilateral ceasefire on Monday citing humanitarian reasons. However, there was no indication that they were willing to relinquish their hold on Goma, a city at the center of a region rich in mineral resources worth trillions of dollars. The ceasefire declaration followed a report from the U.N. health agency stating that at least 900 people had died in the recent clashes between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces after the rebels seized Goma, a city with a population of 2 million.
The rebels were reportedly advancing towards another provincial capital, Bukavu, and had expressed their intention to continue towards Kinshasa, the capital of Congo located a thousand miles away. M23 rebel spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka stated, “It must be emphasized that we have no plans to take control of Bukavu or other areas. However, we remain committed to ensuring the safety and protection of civilians and our positions.”
The Congolese government did not immediately respond to the ceasefire announcement. The announcement was made ahead of a joint summit scheduled this week by the regional blocs of southern and eastern Africa, which have called for a ceasefire. Kenya’s President William Ruto confirmed that the presidents of Congo and Rwanda would be in attendance.
The M23 rebels are reportedly supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, a significant increase from 2012 when they briefly captured Goma before withdrawing under international pressure. They are among the most powerful of the numerous armed groups vying for control in eastern Congo, an area that holds vast mineral reserves crucial to global technology production.
The recent clashes forced hundreds of thousands of people who had already been displaced by years of conflict to flee once again, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage. Thousands sought refuge in neighboring Rwanda, which has denied allegations of supporting the M23 rebels.
The conflict in Congo has deep historical roots in a long-standing ethnic feud. M23 claims to be defending ethnic Tutsis in Congo, while Rwanda alleges that Tutsis are being targeted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 genocide of over 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda. Many Hutus fled to Congo after the genocide and formed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda militia group. Rwanda has accused this group of being “fully integrated” into the Congolese military, a claim which the military denies.
On Monday, families desperately searched the morgues to identify their loved ones as trucks loaded with body bags were prepared for burials in Goma. Chiza Nyenyezi tearfully recounted how her son died from a gunshot wound. Louise Shalukoma shared the heartbreaking story of how a bomb explosion prevented her from retrieving her son’s body from the streets.
The devastating impact of the M23 conflict was palpable in Goma as residents faced the
