M23 rebels say they reject calls by East African leaders, to disarm and withdraw, from territories they’ve taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The group is widely believed to be backed by Rwanda – an accusation that the country’s government has denied.

The M23 armed group said in a statement, it would respect a ceasefire.

rebels said that it will retaliate if attacked by Congolese forces.

Scores of children have been disconnected from their family members amid the IDP crisis in eastern D.R. Congo and are now living in makeshift camps in Goma with poor sanitation and little protection from the ongoing rains.

Rumors of a rebel advancement in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sent hundreds of people fleeing towards the city of Goma Tuesday, adding to the at least 186,000 people (UN) that have been displaced since March due to fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 fighters.

Aljazeera.