Intense Clashes Erupt in Goma as Rwanda-Back M23 Rebels Battle…

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has clashed with government forces in Goma, leading to civilian panic and military casualties. Reports of bombardment and a trapped population highlight the dire conditions. The U.N. has reported increased violence and displacement, prompting calls for intervention and a cessation of support for the rebels. This resurgence of conflict threatens to plunge the resource-rich region back into turmoil.

A significant crisis unfolded in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group engaged in fierce combat with government forces in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province. Residents expressed alarm over ongoing bombardments, with many reporting feeling trapped within the city. “We are surrounded; there is no place to go,” stated Safari Kanyagala Patrick, a local taxi driver, describing the dire situation as fighting persisted since midday Sunday.

Another resident, Muzige Gakiza, conveyed a similar sentiment, stating, “We have been locked up in the house since yesterday.” Amidst the chaos, reports indicated confusion regarding the control of Goma, with the M23 group announcing their takeover while various sources claimed government troops remained in some areas.

A statement from the Uruguayan army, supporting the United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts, confirmed that the M23 rebels were on the offensive, which resulted in the surrender of over 100 Congolese soldiers. Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. stabilization mission in Congo, highlighted the dire conditions, noting, “In other words, we are trapped.”

The violence claimed the lives of three U.N. peacekeepers, with 11 injuries reported. Keita further noted the recent death of the general overseeing North Kivu. The ongoing conflicts have displaced approximately 400,000 individuals so far this year.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged the Rwanda Defense Forces to cease support for the M23 and withdraw from Congolese territory. A warning from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa advised American citizens to evacuate North Kivu as violence increased. The M23 rebel group’s resurgence raises concerns of renewed turmoil in the resource-rich nation, which has suffered extensive casualties due to conflict since 1996.

The M23 rebel group, consisting primarily of Congolese Tutsi, previously captured Goma in 2012 but retreated after international intervention. The current unrest represents a renewed offensive that could exacerbate an already volatile situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Approximately six million people have succumbed to conflict-related causes since 1996, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The United Nations estimates that the recent fighting has displaced around 400,000 people since this year alone, intensifying the urgent need for international attention and intervention.

The situation in Goma has escalated significantly, with the M23 rebels clashing with government forces, resulting in civilian distress and military casualties. The ongoing violence is reminiscent of past conflicts in the region and poses a severe threat to both local inhabitants and international peacekeeping efforts. Calls for intervention and the withdrawal of external support underline the complexity of the crisis, necessitating immediate global concern and action.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com