M23 rebels claim to have captured Goma, a city in eastern DRC, leading to significant displacement and regional instability. Evolving clashes are forcing civilians to flee, and the humanitarian crisis worsens amidst historic ethnic tensions and accusations against Rwanda. International involvement remains critical as the situation unfolds.
Fighters from the Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group have declared the capture of Goma, an eastern city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This militant advance has led to thousands being displaced and poses a threat of reigniting a wider regional conflict. Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka encouraged Goma residents to remain calm, asserting that the liberation has been carried out successfully and that the situation is under control.
The extent of M23’s control over Goma remains unclear, although witnesses report seeing rebels in the city. Gunfire was heard near several key locations, including the airport and the city center. The rebels demanded that Congolese soldiers surrender, resulting in around 100 soldiers handing over their weapons to Uruguayan troops involved in the UN peacekeeping mission (Monusco). As a precaution, Monusco staff and their families were evacuated to Rwanda.
The eastern DRC’s borderlands are historically unstable, featuring numerous militant factions rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. The M23 group is among a series of Tutsi-led rebellions in the region. Recently, UN special representative Bintou Keita informed the Security Council that M23 fighters advanced into Goma’s surroundings, causing widespread panic among civilians and reportedly using them as human shields during their offensive.
DRC’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, accused Rwanda of conducting a blatant attack against the DRC. In contrast, Rwanda’s ambassador, Ernest Rwamucyo, attributed the crisis to the DRC government’s failures and avoided commenting on the accusations. The M23 group claims its mission is to protect the ethnic Tutsi community in the DRC, previously capturing Goma in 2012 before retreating due to international intervention. Their resurgence in late 2021 followed renewed support from Rwanda.
This latest offensive exacerbates the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, with over one-third of North Kivu’s population currently displaced, as reported by the UN.
The current conflict stems from the complex historical relationship between Rwanda and the DRC, significantly influenced by the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This period saw mass migrations and border tensions that have fueled several regional conflicts. Rebel groups, like M23, often arise from ethnic tensions and strive for autonomy or control over territories, which complicates the political landscape within the DRC.
The claims made by M23 of capturing Goma highlight the ongoing instability in the eastern DRC, with historical tensions resurfacing. If the situation escalates, it could lead to increased humanitarian crises regionally and a potential wider conflict, necessitating urgent international attention and intervention to restore peace and stability in this volatile area.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
