The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who captured Goma, a major city in eastern Congo, declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, citing humanitarian reasons. Despite the announcement, there is no indication they plan to relinquish control of Goma. The ceasefire follows weeks of intense fighting that resulted in at least 900 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
GOMA, Congo — The Rwanda-backed rebels who seized a major city in eastern Congo declared a unilateral ceasefire Monday, citing humanitarian grounds, but there was no sign of them giving up control of Goma at the heart of a region home to trillions of dollars in mineral wealth.
“It must be made clear that we have no intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas. However, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” M23 rebel spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement. The latest fighting forced hundreds of thousands of people who had been displaced by years of conflict to carry what remained of their belongings and flee again. Thousands poured into nearby Rwanda, which has denied supporting the M23.M23 says it is defending ethnic Tutsis in Congo. Rwanda has claimed the Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda.
CONGO REBELS CEASEFIRE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS M23
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