Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have captured Goma’s airport, escalating conflict in the DRC and resulting in significant humanitarian crises. Congolese forces face considerable losses, with widespread violence prompting protests over international inaction. The UN warns of severe consequences as conditions deteriorate, compounded by war and displacement.
An armed insurgent group supported by Rwandan forces has captured the airport in Goma, a key city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), escalating the conflict and leaving the city on the verge of collapse. The Tutsi-led M23 group and Rwandan troops entered central Goma over the weekend following a prolonged offensive in the region, significantly undermining Congolese military efforts.
The attack has resulted in widespread devastation within Goma, creating a humanitarian crisis that overwhelms local medical facilities and leaves many dead in the streets. Additionally, protests over perceived international indifference have led to assaults on embassies in the national capital, Kinshasa, reflecting the growing frustration among the Congolese populace.
Approximately 1,200 Congolese soldiers have reportedly surrendered at the airport, with many confined there as fighting persists around the city. Long-standing tensions reflecting the DRC’s tumultuous history since the 1994 Rwandan genocide have resurfaced, as more than half a million individuals have been displaced due to violence in the area this year alone.
The UN has indicated that the violence has compounded an ongoing humanitarian disaster, warning that the turmoil is exacerbating food shortages and risking outbreaks of disease amid deteriorating conditions. Reports from hospitals in Goma reveal at least 17 fatalities and hundreds of injuries in the recent days of confrontation.
International responses include calls from the African Union for the M23 to cease hostilities. The DRC government expressed frustration over the UN Security Council’s ambiguous statements concerning Rwanda’s role in the conflict, where they accuse Rwanda of seeking to exploit the region’s mineral wealth.
The current crisis in Goma marks a significant re-escalation of an armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern region known for its mineral resources. The M23 group, which rose to prominence after the Rwandan genocide in 1994, has received support from Rwandan military forces and has been capturing territory in North Kivu province since late 2021. This conflict history is characterized by deep-seated tensions, geopolitical rivalries, and humanitarian consequences that have led to extensive displacements and ongoing violence. The crisis has been exacerbated by the lack of effective international intervention, with protests erupting in Kinshasa as citizens express discontent over perceived inaction by global powers regarding the escalation of violence and humanitarian strife in Goma. The situation is dire, as numerous reports indicate that local medical facilities are overwhelmed and the needs of displaced individuals are growing unmet, placing additional strain on an already fragile country.
The conflict in Goma underscores a troubling cycle of violence and humanitarian distress, exacerbated by external involvement and regional complexities. As M23 fighters, aided by Rwandan troops, continue to exert control, the situation escalates, prompting urgent calls from international bodies for conflict resolution and a halt to hostilities. With large-scale displacement and profound humanitarian needs, the time for decisive action has become both critical and necessary to prevent further suffering.
Original Source: www.wfxg.com
