M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have reportedly captured Goma in eastern DRC amid significant unrest, prompting large-scale displacement of residents. The DRC government refutes this claim while calling for public calm. Heightened tensions with Rwanda and humanitarian concerns have escalated, drawing international attention. Regional disputes continue to complicate the crisis, leading to warnings of potential wider conflict.
Ethnic-Tutsi M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reportedly seized the crucial eastern city of Goma amidst intense conflict with government forces, resulting in a surge of refugees from the area. Despite the government in Kinshasa denying the rebels’ control over the city, evidence from social media illustrates the group’s dominance in Goma’s streets. The M23 has called for public calm during this tumultuous period.
U.N. Special Representative to the DRC, Bintou Keita, expressed concerns during a U.N. Security Council emergency session about the escalating violence, revealing that blocked roads and a closed airport have hindered her mission’s efforts to exit the region safely. This escalation exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation in the area, which is fraught with unrest and violence due to ongoing regional tensions, primarily with Rwanda.
DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya urged citizens to remain indoors, refrain from participating in unlawful activities, and avoid disseminating misinformation from Rwanda. He assured the populace of the government’s commitment to prevent civil unrest. “In view of the security situation in the city of Goma marked by the presence of the Rwandan army, we wish to reassure the population…” – Patrick Muyaya.
Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of breaching a U.N. Security Council resolution by deploying troops to support the M23, asserting that this constitutes an act of war. Conversely, the Rwandan government accused DRC of backing groups aiming to destabilize Rwanda. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the M23’s advances increase the risk of regional conflict, calling for a cessation of hostilities and adherence to a cease-fire agreement established earlier.
The advance of the M23 has prompted significant displacement, with over 178,000 individuals reportedly fleeing violence within the last two weeks, particularly from the eastern DRC province of South Kivu, bordering both North Kivu and Rwanda. This ongoing conflict raises urgent concerns about the humanitarian implications for the region and the need for a swift resolution to the crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently experiencing heightened conflict due to the actions of the M23 rebel group, which has ties to Rwanda and has launched an offensive in the eastern part of the country. This has resulted in the capture of key cities, such as Goma, thereby intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region. Governments in both DRC and Rwanda have traded accusations, contributing to the tension and complicating efforts for resolution and peace.
The situation in Goma illustrates the complex interplay of local and regional dynamics, with the M23’s advances leading to significant humanitarian consequences. The DRC government insists on defending its territory against what it claims are Rwandan-backed rebels, while international voices call for an immediate ceasefire and a resolution to avoid a broader regional conflict. The humanitarian impact continues to escalate, urging the necessity for intervention and aid.
Original Source: www.upi.com
