M23 Rebels Supported by Rwanda Surround Major City of Goma in Congo
M23 rebels backed by Rwanda have captured Saké, encircling Goma in eastern Congo. This escalation signifies a potential fall of the city, reminiscent of its capture in 2012. Accusations persist regarding Rwanda’s support for M23, amid stalled peace negotiations and regional unrest.
M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have encircled the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Congo and Rwanda. On Thursday, the M23 group captured Saké, compelling Congolese forces to hastily retreat, as reported by humanitarian officials and witnesses. This event marks the last major military stronghold before Goma, which has a population exceeding 2 million.
The capture of Goma would mark a critical achievement for M23, which previously seized the city in 2012 and held it for two weeks before withdrawing due to international pressure on Rwanda to cease its support for the militia. The United States and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of financing and directing M23 operations, allegations that Rwanda vehemently disputes.
After being defeated by the Congolese army and United Nations forces in late 2013, M23 remained dormant for nearly a decade but has since re-emerged, initiating a series of significant victories against the Congolese military since late 2021. Concurrently, peace negotiations led by Angola have not yielded progress, and the status of U.N. peacekeepers remained uncertain until their mandate was recently renewed for one more year.
Ruth Maclean serves as the West Africa bureau chief for The Times, covering various nations including Nigeria and Congo. Elian Peltier is The Times’ West Africa correspondent based in Dakar, Senegal.
The article discusses the deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which has been accused of receiving support from Rwanda. Historically, the conflict in the region has seen various military engagements and accusations of external interference, particularly from neighboring Rwanda. The implications of the impending fall of Goma highlight the complexities of regional politics and the ongoing struggle for control in eastern Congo, further complicated by stalled peace talks and a fragile U.N. peacekeeper presence.
In summary, the M23 rebels have encircled Goma, marking a significant escalation in the longstanding conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The capture of Saké signifies a strategic setback for Congolese forces and could lead to the fall of Goma, reminiscent of the city’s previous capture by M23 in 2012. The situation highlights both the challenges in peace negotiations and the accusations against Rwanda regarding support for the militia.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
