Key points:

• Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have captured the town of Nyabibwe despite declaring a ceasefire.
• Local residents remain fearful amid the ongoing conflict and promises of safety from the rebels.
• The United Nations has called for an end to violence and urgent humanitarian aid delivery.
• Malawi is preparing to withdraw its peacekeeping troops in response to the declared ceasefire.

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Amid a backdrop of escalating violence, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seized control of the mining town of Nyabibwe in eastern Congo's South Kivu province on Wednesday, raising alarm over the collapse of a ceasefire they had declared only days earlier. Local sources reported that the situation in Nyabibwe escalated early in the morning, with the rebels capturing the town approximately 60 miles south of the provincial capital, Bukavu.

The capture follows the M23's claim of a unilateral ceasefire announced earlier in the week to facilitate humanitarian aid efforts, described as "false communication" by the Congolese government. The United Nations and several humanitarian agencies have expressed deep concerns regarding the ongoing fighting, which has overwhelmed medical facilities and resulted in casualties among civilians.

Corneille Nangaa, the M23's political leader, attempted to reassure the local population during a rally in Goma, where he claimed that the city had been "liberated and sanitized." He stated, “I ask you to sleep well because we bring you security; this is our priority,” while announcing plans to reopen schools and reinstate public services. However, many residents remain skeptical about their safety and the stability that the rebels promise, with one local resident commenting, “I don’t know if I’m convinced. ... We’re still afraid,” as reported by AP News.

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwandan military assets, have emerged as one of the most formidable armed groups in the eastern Congo region, which is rich in minerals critical for technology. According to U.N. reports, there are approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops involved, much greater than during 2012 when they briefly captured Goma before withdrawing under international pressure.

Health officials have raised alarms over the impact of the conflict on public health facilities. The National Institute of Biomedical Research in Goma has experienced significant disruption, hindering vital services needed to combat infectious diseases including Ebola. As shared by a representative from the Africa Centers for Disease Control, the operational disturbances have raised the risk of widespread disease outbreaks.

International response to the crisis has intensified, with the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres appealing for an end to hostilities and mediation efforts to restore peace in the region. “It is time to end this crisis. It is time for peace,” Guterres emphasized.

Amid this turmoil, regional diplomatic efforts are underway, with Malawi preparing to withdraw its peacekeeping troops in alignment with the ceasefire. President Lazarus Chakwera stated that this step is to facilitate negotiations and lasting peace, although it has yet to be confirmed how this might influence the situational dynamics in the region. Meanwhile, South Africa confirmed its intention to maintain its troop presence as it seeks to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the situation remains fluid with heavy implications for the safety and security of the local population, as well as for broader stability within the Eastern Congo region. For more details, visit Reuters and NPR.