The March 23 Movement rebel forces, backed by Rwanda, announced a halt to their military advance across the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for humanitarian reasons.

The rebel group declared a unilateral ceasefire effective from today, Tuesday.

Last week, the group, supported by thousands of Rwandan soldiers, seized the city of Goma, the main city in eastern Congo.

The United Nations estimates that around 900 people have been killed in the conflict, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced.