M23 Rebels Declare Ceasefire Amid Clashes in Eastern DR Congo.

Corneille Nangaa leads the Alliance Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance, or AFC) that includes M23. Courtesy image.

The M23 rebel group has declared a unilateral ceasefire after two weeks of intense fighting with the Congolese army for control of the eastern city of Goma. The ceasefire announcement comes amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called for the immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels and alleged Rwandan forces from Goma. Speaking to South African broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner emphasized that the ceasefire must be backed by concrete actions.

“We need to see concrete action; what really this means is to have the evidence that this is not a cosmetic fix,” Wagner stated. She further stressed that for humanitarian aid to reach affected populations, the city must be fully demilitarized.

According to the United Nations, over 900 people have been killed, and 2,880 others injured since the clashes began. The fighting has also led to severe disruptions in essential services, with Wagner accusing the rebels and Rwandan forces of cutting off water, electricity, and access roads leading to and from Goma.

The DRC has long accused Rwanda of backing M23, an allegation that Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied. However, in a recent interview with CNN, Kagame declined to outright dismiss claims that Rwandan forces were present in Goma, stating that he does “not know” whether his troops are there.

M23, which has waged multiple offensives in eastern Congo over the years, claims its struggle is driven by grievances over alleged discrimination against the Tutsi community in the region. The group has insisted that its actions are meant to address systemic injustices faced by Tutsis.

With tensions still high, the effectiveness of the ceasefire remains uncertain as the DRC government and international observers call for lasting peace and the withdrawal of all armed groups from Goma.

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