Congo rebels 'declare ceasefire'
UN peacekeepers attacked by civilians in DRC
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Wednesday, 29, Oct 2008 08:06
The rebel leader whose forces are fighting against government troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has declared a ceasefire, reports suggest.
The BBC quotes renegade General Laurent Nkunda as saying his forces are close to the city of Goma but have decided to proclaim a ceasefire due to the "state of destabilisation" in the town.
Thousands of people have been reported fleeing the settlement due to the recent upsurge in violence this week.
"We are not far from Goma but because there is a state of destabilisation in the town we decided in our movement to cease fire and unilaterally to proclaim a ceasefire," Gen Nkunda reportedly told the BBC.
The rebel leader said his aim was to protect the Tutsi people from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels.
Earlier, United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki-moon warned the fighting was "creating a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions" and urged for a ceasefire to be called.
Around 250,000 people have fled their homes since a previous ceasefire signed in January collapsed in August.
UN forces in Congo were forced to open fire against the rebel militia this week, it was confirmed last night.
Gen Nkunda's attacks have been met with significant resistance by the UN troops stationed in the country.