The coalition of the two rebel groups, the Congo River Alliance and the March 23 movement, that have been fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo have unanimously announced that they planned a ceasefire in the DRC for compassionate reasons.
The combined AFC and M23 politico-military coalition has declared that it has unilaterally decided to affect a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for what is being described as empathetic reasons.
The two rebel group alliance movement has released a statement confirming that the ceasefire will take effect on this Tuesday, therefore preempting the joint East African Community and Southern African Development Community peace talks planned for next weekend.
“The AFC and M23 would like to inform the public that in response to the humanitarian crisis provoked by the regime in Kinshasa, it decrees a ceasefire effective from the 4th of February 2025, for humanitarian reasons” the statement declared.
The AFC/M23 alliance has further announced that it has no intentions of taking control of the city of Bukavu in South Kivu where the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) have been mobilizing in preparation of alleged attacks that were reportedly being planned by the rebels.
However, the rebels group insisted that for now the AFC/M23 will maintain its positions in Goma the provincial capital of North Kivu Province in eastern DR Congo.