Uneasy calm returns to conflict-hit eastern Goma city in DR Congo

Although the tension remains high, sporadic gunfire has ceased with no latest clashes reported in the city while M23 rebels also controlled some villages near the South Kivu province where sporadic clashes have been reported, according to Actualite.cd news website.

People have begun to leave their houses in the city's northern districts, and traffic is gradually getting back to normal in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

The city's water supply has also been partially restored, while power cuts persist.

A resident of Goma also told M23 rebel spokesman Willy Ngoma that business in the city was slow, but residents are "happy" that the battles between rebels and government forces have halted, according to the Kigali-based The New Times.

The UN also said Wednesday that the situation in the Congo "remains tense today, but it is also calmer" amid fighting for the control of Goma.

Meanwhile, residents are concerned due to the health risks, aggravated by several bodies lying in Goma’s districts.

It remains unclear who controls the city and government institutions.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in a national address said: "A rigorous and coordinated response against these terrorists and their sponsors is underway."

He added the Congolese army was "fully mobilized to defend every inch of DR Congo's territory."

The situation in eastern Congo remains volatile, as the regional leaders, including those of Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa, accuse each other of being a party to the conflict.

The UN Group of Experts accuses Uganda, as well as Rwanda, of providing sanctuary to the M23 rebels and passage to the Rwanda Defense Forces troops, who travel to eastern Congo to allegedly fight alongside M23 fighters against the Congo government.

Kampala denies the claims. There are, however, allegations that Kinshasa provides a safe haven to rebels fighting Uganda, including ISIS (Daesh)-linked Allied Democratic Forces and People's Redemption Army.

M23 launched a major offensive last week, gaining control of major parts of Goma city, home to around 3 million people. Kinshasa, however, blamed Kigali for sending troops to the city to support the rebels.

While Kigali has denied backing rebels, regional leaders have made calls for an immediate ceasefire as dozens of people have lost their lives while hundreds have been injured.

Several reports claimed nearly 100 people lost their lives over the past one week but Anadolu could not independently confirm the exact number of death toll.

Thousands have been displaced, many of whom have fled to Rwanda, including staff of international groups such as the UN and World Bank.

Kigali has said nine of its citizens died in the alleged cross-border fire from Goma.