The Eastern Congo rebel alliance that includes the M23 has declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons starting on Feb. 4, the group known as the Congo River Alliance said in a statement.

The group called the Congo River Alliance also includes the Rwanda- backed M23 rebels, who were reported to be gaining territory in other eastern parts of the country while advancing on South Kivu's provincial capital,

The U.N. says Rwanda-backed rebels are expanding their presence in eastern Congo after capturing the region's major city.

The Eastern Congo rebel alliance, including the M23, has announced a ceasefire beginning February 4 for humanitarian reasons. The Congo River Alliance stated it does not intend to capture Bukavu after taking control of Goma,

The Rwanda-backed rebels who seized a major city in eastern Congo have declared a unilateral ceasefire, citing humanitarian grounds.