Escalating Clashes in Goma: Rwanda-Backed Rebels and Congolese Forces Engage
Heavy clashes erupted in Goma, DRC, between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and government forces, causing panic among residents. M23 claimed to have liberated the city, while local journalists reported ongoing military presence. Over 100 Congolese soldiers abandoned their posts, and U.N. peacekeepers faced casualties amid the escalating violence, with humanitarian concerns growing as the U.S. advised its citizens to evacuate.
A crisis unfolded in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday as the M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, clashed with Congolese government forces in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Residents experienced widespread panic as bombardments were reported throughout the city, with many feeling trapped due to the violence. Local taxi driver Safari Kanyagala Patrick described barricading himself and his family at their home amidst ongoing fighting that began the previous day.
Other residents echoed fears of violence, with Muzige Gakiza sharing that his family had remained in their home since the prior day due to the escalating conflict. Uncertainty loomed over who held control of Goma as M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kayuka declared the city liberated and urged Congolese troops to surrender while maintaining calm among civilians. However, journalist Jimmy Bakomera reported that government forces were still present in various areas of Goma.
The Uruguayan army, part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the region, confirmed that the M23 rebels were advancing, forcing over 100 Congolese soldiers to abandon their posts. Following an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. stabilization mission, noted that access routes to Goma were blocked, exacerbating the crisis, as airspace closures further isolated the city. The heightened conflict has resulted in casualties, including the deaths of three U.N. peacekeepers and the general responsible for North Kivu.
The M23 group, largely comprising individuals from the Congolese Tutsi ethnic group, previously seized control of Goma in 2012 before relinquishing it under international pressure. The current turmoil raises concerns over renewed violence in the mineral-rich region, with figures from the U.N. estimating that approximately 400,000 individuals have been displaced this year alone in North and South Kivu. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged the Rwanda Defense Forces to cease their support for M23 and withdraw from Congo.
The escalating violence led the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa to advise American citizens to leave North Kivu while travel routes still allow it. The situation remains critical as residents fear further military confrontations and humanitarian consequences.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rooted in longstanding issues including ethnic tensions and control over rich mineral resources. The M23 rebel group’s recent activities are reminiscent of earlier episodes of violence, such as their brief occupation of Goma in 2012. The involvement of external actors, notably the Rwanda Defense Forces, complicates the situation, and response efforts by the international community, including U.N. peacekeeping missions, highlight the necessity of stabilizing the region.
The clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese troops in Goma signify a dangerous escalation in the long-standing conflict within the Democratic Republic of Congo. With residents trapped amidst violence and significant humanitarian concerns emerging, the international community is called to act. As the situation evolves, addressing the root causes of the conflict remains crucial to preventing further instability in the region.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
