Eastern DR Congo Ceasefire Declared Amid Escalating Conflict
Teh alliance of rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a humanitarian ceasefire, effective Tuesday.The group, which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, cited “humanitarian reasons” for the pause in hostilities, following weeks of territorial gains in the region.
The ceasefire comes as the United Nations reports at least 900 deaths and 2,880 injuries in recent fighting around Goma, the DRC’s largest eastern city, which was seized by rebels. The G7 nations and the European Union have condemned the offensive, calling it a “flagrant violation of DR Congo’s sovereignty.”
The rebel alliance, known as the Congo River Alliance, has accused the Congolese military of using aircraft to bomb areas under its control, resulting in civilian casualties. Despite earlier claims of territorial expansion, the group now states it does not intend to seize further territory and will hold its current positions. “We reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,” the alliance said in a statement.
The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people over the past three years, with more than 400,000 forced from their homes as the start of 2025, according to the UN’s refugee agency.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Rwanda Defense Force, has denied knowledge of Rwandan troops operating in the DRC. Meanwhile, human rights groups are urging increased international pressure on rwanda to de-escalate the situation.
DR Congo’s communications minister, Patrick Muyaya, has called for sanctions against Rwanda, stating, “A strong decision (must be taken) not only to condemn, but to stop what Rwanda is doing, as it is indeed not acceptable if you want to preserve peace in Africa and in our region.” He added, “Sanctions are the minimum.”
The Congolese and Rwandan presidents are set to attend a regional peace summit in Tanzania on Friday. However, with 30 years of conflict behind them, negotiations are expected to be protracted and could last months, if they do not break down as they have in the past.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Ceasefire Announcement | Declared by rebel alliance, including M23, citing humanitarian reasons. |
| Casualties | 900 killed, 2,880 injured in recent fighting around Goma. |
| International Response| G7 and EU condemn the offensive as a violation of DRC sovereignty. |
| Displacement | Over 400,000 displaced since january 2025.|
| Rebel Accusations | Claims Congolese military used aircraft to bomb rebel-held areas. |
| Rwandan Involvement | President Kagame denies knowledge of Rwandan troops in DRC. |
| Call for Sanctions | DRC minister urges international sanctions against Rwanda. |
| Peace Summit | Congolese and Rwandan presidents to meet in Tanzania on Friday. |
As the region braces for potential peace talks,the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen,with calls for immediate action to address the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
