Fighting is ongoing in Goma, DRC, as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels claim control. Artillery attacks have led to civilian casualties, including injuries to mothers and newborns. U.N. officials report the presence of Rwandan troops aiding the rebels while communication services are disrupted. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate with critical infrastructure affected.
Fighting continues unabated across Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels assert their control. Senior U.N. official Bruno Lemarquis stated that combat is widespread throughout the city, indicating that the conflict is far from over. The ongoing hostilities have seen encounters between Congolese forces and Rwandan military personnel along the border, marking a severe escalation in this prolonged conflict.
Lemarquis emphasized the volatile situation, noting that “Active zones of combat have spread to all quarters of the city”. The M23 rebels, an ethnic Tutsi-led group, have seized strategic areas of Goma, affecting its population of over two million and displacing many. The U.N. has reported artillery strikes in the city, including an attack on a maternity hospital, which has resulted in civilian casualties, including injuries among mothers and newborns.
U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops in Goma aiding M23, although precise troop numbers remain uncertain. He characterized the overall situation in eastern Congo as “volatile and dangerous,” underscoring the ongoing presence of U.N. peacekeepers in the field despite the escalating violence. The U.N. mission had nearly 11,000 peacekeepers deployed in the region, with non-essential staff being relocated to Uganda due to the escalating dangers.
Amid the conflict, communication infrastructure has deteriorated considerably; internet services have been cut, phone connectivity is unreliable, and both water and electricity supplies have been disrupted. These developments further complicate the humanitarian situation in Goma, where displaced individuals and aid organizations operate under increasingly perilous conditions.
The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in eastern regions like Goma, has a protracted history involving various armed groups, including the M23 rebels. This group, predominantly ethnic Tutsi, previously occupied Goma in 2012 and has resurfaced amid continued tensions with the Congolese government and neighboring Rwanda. The humanitarian implications of this conflict are substantial, affecting millions of civilians who rely on aid and stability in the region. The U.N. has maintained peacekeeping operations in this area to mitigate violence and provide assistance.
The situation in Goma remains critical as fighting escalates with the involvement of Rwandan troops and M23 rebels advancing through the city. With casualties reported, and critical services disrupted, the humanitarian crisis deepens in the region. The U.N.’s role remains vital as they continue to monitor the unrest and provide peacekeeping support amidst these volatile conditions.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
