Rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have announced a humanitarian ceasefire set to commence on Tuesday.
The alliance, which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, stated that the ceasefire is motivated by "humanitarian reasons" following their recent territorial gains in the eastern region.
Recent conflicts in and around Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, seized by the rebels, have resulted in the death of at least 900 people and left 2,880 injured according to the UN.
The G7 nations and the EU have strongly criticized the rebels' actions as a clear violation of DR Congo's sovereignty.
Accusing the Congolese military of using aircraft to attack civilians in their controlled areas, the rebel alliance known as the Congo River Alliance affirmed that they have no intention of further territorial expansion, contrary to their previous claims, pledging to maintain their current positions.
Stating, We reiterate our commitment to protecting and defending the civilian population and our positions, the rebel alliance emphasized their dedication to safeguarding the civilians in the region.
Over the last three years, ongoing regional conflicts have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with over 400,000 individuals forced from their homes since the beginning of 2025 as reported by the UN refugee agency.
The Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, denied knowledge of any Rwandan troops in DR Congo, while human rights organizations have urged increased pressure on Rwanda to de-escalate the situation.
The DR Congo's communications minister has called for the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, expressing the need for decisive action to halt Rwanda's activities for the sake of peace in Africa and the region.
Preparing for a regional peace summit in Tanzania on Friday, both the Congolese and Rwandan presidents are expected to attend. However, given the history of failed negotiations, spanning 30 years of conflict, there is an expectation that talks may be prolonged should they not reach a sustainable resolution.