Gunfire persisted in Goma as Congolese forces confronted Rwandan-supported M23 militia fighters. Protests erupted in Kinshasa, targeting international embassies due to discontent over foreign inaction. The humanitarian crisis worsened, leading to significant displacement and food shortages as casualties mounted in the violence-stricken areas. International diplomatic responses are underway amid growing tensions in the region.
Gunfire erupted in Goma, DR Congo, on Tuesday as Congolese soldiers faced off against militia fighters supported by Rwandan troops. The tension followed the recent advance of the M23 armed group into parts of Goma over the weekend, escalating the conflict in this mineral-rich region, which has long been troubled by violence. The United Nations reported over 500,000 individuals have been displaced since the year began due to ongoing strife.
In Kinshasa, demonstrators expressed their anger towards perceived international inaction by storming the embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium, and the United States. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs principal secretary, Korir Sing’Oei, denounced the attacks on Kenyan and other embassies. Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy urged its citizens to remain sheltered as tensions escalated, compounded by a fire incident at the French Embassy, which was described as “unacceptable” by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
As sporadic gunfire continued in Goma, the intensity of fighting dwindled. The city, home to around one million residents and already housing 700,000 internally displaced persons, has witnessed rampant looting and violence. Reports indicated that residents faced property theft, creating a climate of fear as they sought refuge from ongoing clashes and violence taking toll across the city.
Casualty reports indicate at least 17 fatalities and 367 injuries over two days, with medical facilities struggling to cope. Food aid distributions in the region have ceased, prompting concerns over impending food shortages. The UN’s World Food Programme warned that the next day would be crucial as populations began to exhaust their supplies amid escalating violence.
Tensions continue as the UN Security Council prepares to convene. The DRC government expressed frustration over the Council’s lack of clarity in addressing Rwanda’s involvement. Accusations have been directed towards Rwanda for seeking control over the region’s lucrative mineral resources, despite Rwanda’s claims of combating Hutu militants originating from the Rwandan genocide.
In response to the rising conflict, the African Union has scheduled an emergency meeting. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to address the nation, while a crisis summit involving Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame is set to occur. The death toll for Southern African peacekeepers has risen following enhanced fighting with the M23, which had previously occupied Goma briefly in 2012.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the city of Goma, has roots tracing back to the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The region has been fraught with armed group activity, often fueled by the competition for control over rich mineral resources. The M23, a Tutsi-led militia, has been at the forefront of the conflict, re-emerging in 2021 after previously being defeated in 2013. The humanitarian crisis continues to exacerbate, with significant displacement and fear among the local population.
The situation in Goma and Kinshasa reflects a severe humanitarian crisis fueled by geopolitical tensions and armed conflict. The attacks on embassies demonstrate local frustrations against perceived international indifference. The DRC government continues to seek stronger responses to regional aggressions, while urgent humanitarian needs grow more critical for the displaced populations. As international diplomatic efforts mobilize, the future of peace and stability in the region remains uncertain.
Original Source: www.wfxg.com
