Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claim to have captured Goma, causing mass panic among the city’s residents. The Congolese military is struggling against the assault, and international responses are ongoing. The conflict, rooted in historical tensions, has led to significant displacement and violence, with urgent calls for civilian protection and international intervention. UN personnel have begun evacuations, while Congo seeks an embargo on Rwandan mineral exports amid the unrest.
Rwanda-supported rebels have declared they have seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This comes amidst widespread panic among its two million residents, following a deadline for the Congolese army to surrender their arms. M23, the Tutsi-led militia, has urged calm among the local population while the government describes the situation as a “declaration of war.”
M23 fighters, along with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, have besieged Goma for several days, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in this mineral-rich region. The Congolese military appears to have been overpowered, leading some army units to surrender to UN peacekeepers in the city. Reports indicate violence erupted, resulting in explosions and a prison break during the upheaval.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the M23, claimed that their forces are in control of Goma, as Congolese soldiers reportedly laid down their arms. In response, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya called for civilian protection and confirmed that the situation has escalated to a war scenario with rapidly changing developments.
The UN Security Council has convened to address the crisis, condemning Rwanda for allegedly supporting the M23 militia. However, Rwanda has dismissed these allegations, accusing Congo of undermining the peace talks. In light of the conflict, the Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister called for an immediate embargo on all Rwandan mineral exports, particularly gold.
As the fighting intensifies, UN personnel and their families have been evacuated to Rwanda. The border between Rwanda and DRC has remained closed as international governments have issued advisories for their citizens to leave Goma following the unrest.
The DRC’s eastern regions are rife with conflict stemming from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, resulting in ongoing violence from various armed groups. M23, which previously seized Goma in 2012, has been implicated in the current hostilities despite a past defeat and promises to disarm. The presence of over 100 armed groups in the DRC complicates the situation significantly.
Since its resurgence, M23 has captured large areas within North Kivu, a province abundant in resources, further displacing populations already affected by conflict. The group asserts it defends the Tutsi community against government persecution and Hutu militia violence. UN reports indicate that these advances have displaced over three million people in eastern Congo as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has endured decades of conflict, with its eastern regions particularly plagued by violence due to ongoing rivalries among armed groups, many of which are linked to the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. The M23, a Tutsi-led militia with historical ties to Rwanda, continues to challenge the Congolese government, creating instability and humanitarian crises exacerbated by international involvement and local grievances. Relations between Rwanda and Congo have been historically contentious, with allegations of Rwandan support for rebel groups fueling mistrust and conflict. The United Nations has intervened in the past, but the complexity of the situation, marked by the presence of numerous armed factions, makes achieving lasting peace a formidable challenge.
The situation in Goma reflects a severe deterioration in security and humanitarian conditions in eastern DRC, drawing international concern. The involvement of foreign troops and rebel groups complicates the dynamic, as local populations endure displacement and violence. Solutions require coordinated international efforts and a commitment from both Congolese and Rwandan authorities to address the root causes of the conflict and seek a sustainable resolution.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
