Rwanda-backed rebels who seized major Congo city declare unilateral ceasefire

M23 rebels in Goma (Brian Inganga/AP)

Rwanda-backed rebels who seized a major city in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared a unilateral ceasefire, citing humanitarian grounds.

Monday’s announcement came after the UN health agency said at least 900 people had died in last week’s fighting between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces after the rebels seized the major city of Goma.