The M23 rebel group has declared a unilateral ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), effective Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
This decision comes after the rebels seized control of Goma, a strategic city in the region. The ceasefire aims to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to thousands of displaced civilians affected by the recent conflict.
Despite the ceasefire, the M23 rebels have not committed to withdrawing from Goma. They have stated that they do not intend to capture other areas, including Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu.
The recent clashes between M23 and Congolese forces have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 900 people reported dead. The fighting has also led to a humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands of civilians, many of whom have fled to neighboring Rwanda.
The M23 rebellion has its roots in the ethnic conflicts linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The group has been active in eastern Congo for years, with previous ceasefires and peace agreements failing to bring lasting stability to the region. The current ceasefire announcement comes ahead of a regional summit organized by East and Southern African states, where leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing conflict.
International actors, including the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers, have called for the resumption of negotiations and the safe passage of humanitarian relief to affected areas. The situation remains tense, with concerns that the conflict could escalate further, potentially drawing in neighboring countries and exacerbating regional instability.
The Congolese government has expressed openness to peace talks to address the conflict, which is deeply rooted in ethnic strife and has led to prolonged instability in the eastern DRC. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and work towards a sustainable resolution to the crisis.
Last week, the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and urged President Félix Tshisekedi to engage in direct dialogue with armed groups, including M23, to de-escalate the worsening security situation.
President Yoweri Museveni took to his official X platform to share the key resolutions from the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State, which was held on Wednesday night and chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto.
The meeting focused on the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where fighting between government forces and armed groups, particularly M23, has intensified. He noted that the leaders unanimously agreed that President Félix Tshisekedi must engage in direct dialogue with his armed opponents to explore a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Additionally, recognizing the complexity of the crisis, the EAC resolved to convene an urgent joint summit with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the coming days, aiming to develop a comprehensive and lasting solution for stability in eastern DRC.
The meeting was attended by President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
According to resolutions in the document, EAC leaders strongly condemned recent attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, where angry protesters targeted foreign embassies of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, France, Belgium and the United States.
They accused Rwanda and Uganda of actively supporting the armed group M23 which, after a lightning offensive in North Kivu province with the support of Rwandan troops, entered the regional capital, Goma, on Sunday.
During the summit, the EAC heads of State called on the Congolese government to uphold its international obligations and ensure the safety of diplomats, their staff, and property.
Recognizing the involvement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in DRC affairs, the summit resolved to convene a joint EAC-SADC summit in the coming days to strategize on a lasting solution.
Comments are closed.