The rebel group M23 declared a ceasefire in areas under its control in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing humanitarian reasons. The streets of Goma were busy as aid groups rushed Tuesday to help the thousands of people wounded and displaced during the past week’s fighting between M23 and pro-Congolese government forces.

Rwandan-backed armed group M23 announced a humanitarian “ceasefire” from Tuesday in DR Congo’s explosive east, days before a planned crisis meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

The M23 has announced a ceasefire, effective from today. The Congolese, Tutsi-led rebel group has been engaged in violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has claimed the lives of more than 700 people, including 14 South African National Defense Force (SANDF) soldiers.

The city of 2 million people is at the heart of a region home to trillions of dollars in mineral wealth and remains in rebel control.

The M23 rebel group has declared a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC. This is according to a statement issued by the group's spokesperson. READ: DR Congo, Rwanda leaders to join summit on crisis in war-torn east The rebel group has called for the SADC peacekeeping mission,