Tue Feb 04 01:32:30 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Declare Ceasefire in Goma After Deadly Congo Conflict
**Goma, DR Congo –** The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group announced a unilateral ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on February 3rd, 2025, effective February 4th. This follows the group’s seizure of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, after intense fighting with Congolese forces that left at least 900 people dead, according to the UN. The ceasefire, declared for humanitarian reasons, comes amidst calls for a safe corridor for aid to reach hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
The M23, despite controlling Goma and making advances elsewhere, denied intentions to capture Bukavu or Kinshasa. However, their presence in Goma, a city rich in mineral resources, remains a significant concern. The announcement precedes a regional summit this week involving the Presidents of Congo and Rwanda, convened to address the crisis. The G7 foreign ministers have also urged all parties to return to negotiations and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
The conflict has forced mass displacement, with thousands fleeing to neighboring Rwanda. The fighting is rooted in a long-standing ethnic conflict, with the M23 claiming to defend Congolese Tutsis against persecution by Hutus and former militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Accusations of Rwandan support for the M23 and the integration of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) militia into the Congolese army further complicate the situation. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded in Goma as families searched for loved ones amidst the aftermath of the fighting.
While Congolese authorities expressed openness to dialogue, they insisted it must align with previous peace agreements. The situation remains volatile, highlighting the deep-seated issues and the urgent need for a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
First Piper 