The Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel coalition in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that includes M23 rebels, proclaimed a ceasefire starting February 4, according to a statement released late Monday.
The alliance cited humanitarian reasons for the ceasefire, blaming the government in Kinshasa for supposedly prompting the violence.
M23 rebels, who have recently heightened clashes in eastern Congo, took control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, last week.
The ongoing heavy fighting between government forces and rebels has resulted in frequent casualties. Congo’s Health Ministry reported on Saturday that 773 bodies were stored in Goma morgues as of January 30, with some still on the streets due to congested facilities.
The rebel alliance sentenced the Congolese armed forces for continuing to use military aircraft at Kavumu airport, where they claim bombs are loaded that harm civilians in areas they have freed.
Additionally, the alliance clarified that they do not intend to capture Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, or any other regions.
