Bullet points of 16 villagers in eastern Congo killed as fighting continues despite a cease-fire

Bullet points of 16 villagers in eastern Congo killed as fighting continues despite a cease-fire
- Clashes between local rebels and pro-government militias in eastern Congo killed 16 villagers, violating a cease-fire announced to help millions displaced in the region.
- The M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, was involved in the fighting, which resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and nine passengers in a vehicle that was set ablaze.
- The fighting raises concerns about the sustainability of the cease-fire, which took effect on August 4 to halt fighting and provide aid to millions in need.
- Eastern Congo has been overrun by over 120 armed groups seeking a share of the region's gold and other resources, resulting in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
- The M23 rebel group rose to prominence a decade ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, and derives its name from a March 23, 2009, peace deal that it accuses the Congo government of not implementing.
- The governor of South Kivu province lifted the suspension of all mining activities, nearly a month after announcing the ban to 'restore order' in the mineral-rich region.
- Many Chinese companies mine gold and other minerals in eastern Congo, where attacks on quarries and mining cooperatives are frequent, and a recent militia attack on a gold mine killed six Chinese miners and two Congolese soldiers.