The Congolese armed rebel group M23, which has the support of Rwanda, has declared a high unilateral fire for humanitarian reasons that comes into force on Tuesday. This was announced one day before his spokesman, Lawrence Kanyuka, through a statement hours after the United Nations raised the dead number to 900 during the fighting in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) since the end of January. This Monday was also announced the celebration of a Summit of Heads of State of Eastern and Southern Africa and southern attended by the presidents of Congo and Rwanda, Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, respectively.
The M23, which was done with the control of the rubber city a week after intense clashes against the Congolese army and its allies, also announced that it renounces its intention to continue moving towards Bukavu, capital of the Kivu region of the Kivu of the South. However, he expressed his intention to stay in the occupied territory. “We reaffirm our commitment to protect and defend the civilian population, as well as our positions,” Kanyuka said. Similarly, he condemned the use of Kavumu airport by the Congolese army “to load bombs that murder our compatriots in the released areas” and once again urged the joint military force of Austral Africa, which fights with the Congoleños , to retire from the RDC.
Diplomatic sources interpret this announcement as a gesture of Rwanda, which supports the rebels with material means and up Development of South Africa that is planned to be held next Saturday in Tanzania to address the crisis. To this meeting have confirmed their assistance both Tshisekedi and Kagame, as announced by President Keniano, William Ruto, who exercises as a mediator in this conflict.
The fighting has caused tens of thousands of displaced and a serious humanitarian crisis in rubber. The government spokesman, Patrick Mostaya, has reported Monday that the M23 offensive during the last week has left more than 2,000 lifeless bodies on the streets: “I talked to the minister [de Salud, Roger Samuel Kamba] to give them the first evaluation of the massacre and butcher shop that have been committed in rubber. This morning, these services informed us that there are more than 2,000 corpses, ”said Mujaya.
The resurgence of the war in the northeast of the Congo has put the entire region to the edge of the war. The M23 has occupied a part of the Congolese territory with the support of Rwanda, a violation of the territorial integrity of the country that has been denounced by the UN, the African Union and the Western powers. The Congolese army has the support of a joint force of southern Africa led by South Africa, which has lost 13 soldiers in the conflict. Burundi has also announced his intention to combat Ruandés expansionism with weapons, according to its president, Evariste Ndayishimiye.
