M23 rebels, with Rwandan backing, have captured Goma, prompting widespread panic among civilians who have fled violence elsewhere. U.N. peacekeepers have been unable to ensure safety. Hospital facilities are overwhelmed with casualties, and many displaced individuals express despair over their precarious circumstances. The ongoing conflict reflects a broader humanitarian crisis that persists in eastern Congo.
The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has launched an offensive against Goma, resulting in widespread panic and a siege situation. Bombs fall in surrounding areas, leaving the city as the only refuge for many fleeing civilians. M23 announced the capture of Goma on Monday, exacerbating the plight of those already displaced from their homes. The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, often referred to as Africa’s World War, has been a persistent issue for decades.
On Monday, videos circulated among terrified Goma residents showing M23 rebels patrolling the city. These rebels call their movement a “liberation,” while some Congolese soldiers abandoned their posts amid the chaos, with gunfire echoing throughout the area. Reports indicate that United Nations peacekeeping forces remain stationed near Goma, but their presence has not mitigated the escalating violence.
Hospitals in Goma face overwhelming numbers due to the conflict. The medical staff have resorted to erecting tents to accommodate the influx of patients. A survivor recounted the devastating moment when a bomb exploded at an army checkpoint, injuring her and her siblings, while others grab hold of whatever refuge they can find amid the chaos in Goma.
Asifiwe Iragi Rugesha described her struggle to navigate her six children through the displaced crowd, having desperately fled the bombings in Kibati. Despite proximity to Goma, safety is fleeting. “There is nothing else to do,” she stated, expressing the harrowing reality that if M23 reaches Goma, survival is uncertain. By Sunday, even the airport was reported closed.
Concerns have arisen regarding the effectiveness of the U.N. peacekeeping forces in the region, known as MONUSCO. Local residents, including motorcycle taxi driver Patrick Amani, expressed feelings of betrayal by the international community. The desperate situation is further evidenced by displaced individuals such as Sifa Kigugo, who, holding her newborn baby, lamented the lack of a clear path forward amidst the violence.
Goma is shrouded in darkness as power and water supplies are cut off; wounded individuals remain in their hospital beds under dire conditions. As gunshots reverberate through the city, the brutal reality of conflict looms large over Goma, with civilians caught in between the strife among armed groups.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Goma, involves M23 rebel forces, which have gained backing from neighboring Rwanda. This violent struggle is just one aspect of a larger history of conflict in the region that has seen numerous groups vying for power and control. People fleeing violence often find themselves without safe options, as the situation frequently escalates. The 25-year presence of U.N. peacekeepers has not sufficiently protected civilians or halted the violence, contributing to local disenchantment with international efforts.
The situation in Goma highlights a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by long-standing military conflicts in eastern Congo. With escalating violence and diminishing safety, tens of thousands find themselves displaced, seeking refuge in overcrowded hospitals and camps. As M23 rebels press forward, civilian casualties and suffering continue to mount, raising critical questions about the role of international forces and the broader stability of the region.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
