Rwandan-backed rebels have entered Goma, eastern Congo, amidst escalating conflict and humanitarian crises. The M23 militia claims control of the city, though this remains unverified. Clashes between militia factions have been reported, leading to looting and military surrenders. As evacuation efforts for U.N. personnel commence, the situation remains tense with significant implications for regional stability and humanitarian conditions.
On Monday, Rwandan-backed rebels entered Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, marking a new escalation in an ongoing conflict in a region plagued by severe humanitarian crises. The M23 militia asserted that they had taken full control of the city, although this claim remains unverified. Reports indicated gunfire near the airport and city center, while residents reported clashes between government-aligned militias and M23 fighters, alongside incidents of looting.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is characterized by numerous armed groups, rooted in conflicts stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23 militia has a history of rebelling against the Congolese government, capturing Goma in 2012 but retreating shortly after due to international intervention. Presently, the region grapples with over 100 armed factions vying for control amidst vast mineral wealth eyed by foreign entities.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, claimed on Monday that M23 forces were in control and that armies were surrendering. However, contrary statements from Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba suggested that Congolese army still maintained control over strategic locations like the airport. Meanwhile, peacekeepers have noted that 100 soldiers surrendered their weapons.
In light of the violence, U.N. personnel began evacuating to Rwanda, utilizing buses as explosions were heard from Goma. Unconfirmed social media videos depicted looting incidents and the presence of heavily armed individuals in the city. Reports indicated that soldiers had crossed into Rwanda, heightening tensions.
The U.N. had previously revitalized its military presence after M23’s 2012 takeover, yet the militia has re-emerged in recent years, asserting their role in protecting the Tutsi demographic from threats posed by the Congolese government. Experts suggest Rwandan support for the M23 has significantly bolstered their operations, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis with millions internally displaced.
The U.N. Security Council has convened on this issue, condemning Rwanda’s support for the rebels. In response, the Rwandan government pushed back against these claims, attributing continued conflicts to the Congolese government’s actions. Furthermore, Kenya’s President, William Ruto, plans to hold an emergency meeting to address the deteriorating situation in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a long history of conflict, significantly intensified by the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The region’s eastern territories, marked by wealth in minerals, remain fraught with violence due to the presence of numerous armed groups including the M23 militia. This militia, formed predominantly by ethnic Tutsis, has risen to prominence over the years, fueled by external backing, particularly from Rwanda, sparking an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has generated millions of displaced individuals in recent years. The M23 has previously captured territories in DRC and has been involved in various military confrontations despite international interventions. The complexity of the conflict involves not only rebel factions but also historic ethnic tensions and geopolitical considerations, including the influence of foreign powers looking to exploit the region’s abundant natural resources.
The recent incursion of Rwandan-backed rebels into Goma has escalated an already critical humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. As the M23 militia claims control of the city, ongoing conflict further threatens stability, with significant concerns over displaced populations and escalating violence. The international community continues to respond, facing the challenge of a multifaceted conflict driven by historic grievances, ethnic divisions, and foreign interests.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
