The announcement comes a week after the M23, with the support of the Rwandan military, took the strategic city of Goma after days of intense fighting with the Democratic Congolese army.
In a statement, the Congo River Alliance (AFC-M23, in French), a political-military coalition in the DR Congo that includes the M23, says that, “in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Kinshasa regime, it declares a ceasefire from February 4, 2025, for humanitarian reasons”.
After conquering Goma, capital of North Kivu province, AFC-M23 assured that the rebel group has no intention of taking Bukavu, capital of the neighboring South Kivu province, towards which it advanced last week.
At least 900 bodies have been recovered after days of fighting in the city of Goma, according to the United Nations.
According to UN experts, M23 is supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, far more than in 2012 when they first captured Goma.
The rebel movement is the most powerful of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern DR Congo, Angola's mineral-rich neighbor, which has vast deposits essential for much of the world's technology.
