A rebel group that claimed to have captured the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, after fighting with the Congolese military has left hundreds of people dead. <\/p>\n
In a statement on Monday, the rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) \u2013 which includes the M23 armed group \u2013 said it had declared the truce, starting Tuesday, \u201cin response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Kinshasa regime,\u201d referring to DR Congo\u2019s government. <\/p>\n
The DRC and much of the international community have accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels. <\/p>\n
It is unclear if the Congolese army will agree to the ceasefire. Previous interventions, including truce agreements, failed to cease hostilities. <\/p>\n
\u201cHave you seen the Rwandans do what they say? It (the ceasefire announcement by the rebels) is a communication for international consumption and to put the international community to sleep on its feet,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
United Nations experts also estimate that up to 3,000-4,000 Rwandan soldiers are supervising and supporting M23 fighters in the east of the DRC, outnumbering the rebel group\u2019s forces in the country. <\/p>\n
Last week, DRC leader Felix Tshisekedi vowed \u201ca vigorous and coordinated response\u201d against M23, describing the group as Rwanda\u2019s \u201cpuppet.\u201d <\/p>\n
Fighting erupted last week as the rebels advanced into Goma, the capital of DRC\u2019s North Kivu province. <\/p>\n
More than a dozen foreign peacekeepers, as well as the military governor of North Kivu, were killed trying to fend off the rebels, and thousands of locals were displaced. <\/p>\n
According to the UN\u2019s latest figures, at least 900 bodies have been recovered from the streets of Goma, and around 2,880 injuries have been recorded since the end of January. A report by the UN\u2019s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said many healthcare facilities are overcrowded and in urgent need of medicine and equipment. <\/p>\n
The rebel alliance emphasized it has \u201cno intention of capturing Bukavu or other areas,\u201d referring to the capital city of the neighboring South Kivu province, where many displaced people from Goma had fled. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n
Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa also told Rwandan media last week that his group\u2019s objective was \u201cto go to Kinshasa.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to fight until we get to Kinshasa. We have come to Goma to stay; we are not going to withdraw. We are going to move forward from Goma to Bukavu \u2026 up to Kinshasa,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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