Heavy clashes erupted in Goma, DRC, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels fought government troops, impacting civilians significantly. Reports of bombardments and chaos, with some residents trapped, emerged. The U.N. reported casualties among peacekeepers and highlighted the urgent humanitarian crisis as over 400,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts.
On Monday, the situation escalated in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group clashed with government forces in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Residents reported intense bombardments, leading to widespread confusion and fear. “We are surrounded; there is no place to go,” stated Safari Kanyagala Patrick, a taxi driver who described barricading himself and his family at home amid ongoing fighting since the previous day.
Muzige Gakiza, another Goma resident, expressed desperation as he described being confined to his home since the fighting began. Despite reports of chaos, M23 spokesman Lawrence Kayuka declared the “liberation” of Goma, urging Congolese military members to surrender their weapons. Nevertheless, journalist Jimmy Bakomera informed that government forces remained active in parts of the city, indicating ongoing conflict.
The Uruguayan army supporting the UN peacekeeping mission reported that M23 was actively attacking, resulting in many Congolese soldiers surrendering. Furthermore, at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Bintou Keita reported that access to Goma was severely restricted, stating that the rebels had closed the airspace over the city. “In other words, we are trapped,” she emphasized.
Recent days have seen tragic losses, including three U.N. peacekeepers killed and several others injured. Keita also noted the death of the general in charge of North Kivu and highlighted the rebels’ expanding influence into South Kivu. M23, made up predominantly of Congolese Tutsi, previously seized Goma in 2012.
The resurgence of violence threatens to plunge the mineral-rich region of Congo back into turmoil, exacerbated by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. An estimated 400,000 people have been displaced this year alone in North and South Kivu. The U.N. has attributed approximately 6 million deaths to war-related causes since 1996. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres has urged Rwanda to cease its support for M23.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has advised American citizens to evacuate North Kivu, citing the intensifying violence and recommending departure while borders remain open. This ongoing conflict raises concerns about further instability in an already fragile region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced persistent conflict driven by various armed groups, particularly the M23 rebel group, which has historical ties to Rwanda. The eastern provinces, including North and South Kivu, are rich in natural resources yet suffer from instability and violence, leading to humanitarian crises and mass displacements of civilians. Recent escalations further threaten the fragile security situation in the region, highlighting the complexities of international support and local governance.
The clashes between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces in Goma have triggered significant fear and confusion among residents, as reported by local testimonies. The ongoing hostilities threaten to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region, leading to increased displacements and raising alarm among local and international observers. Calls for action from the UN and diplomatic entreaties highlight the urgent need to address the escalating violence and its broader implications.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
