The World Health Organisation says the latest offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels – which reportedly saw them take control of much of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest city, Goma – has resulted in the deaths of at least 900 people. A few hours after that grim figure was released by the UN health body, M23 announced a ceasefire in and around Goma. The group claims the truce is for humanitarian reasons, but there are concerns that the actual plan is to use it to organise reinforcements and restock on arms – in anticipation of a possible DRC army counter-offensive. On 31 January, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi said the Congolese military was preparing a ‘vigorous military response’ to M23’s advance. The development comes as regional bodies prepare for an emergency summit in Tanzania to address the mineral-fuelled conflict in the DRC.
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