M23 Rebels Claim Control of Goma Amid Escalating Tensions
M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, claim they have captured Goma in eastern DRC. This advance has led to mass displacements and heightened tensions in a historically volatile region. Calls for calm from rebel leadership contrast with reports of gunfire and troop surrenders, raising serious humanitarian concerns as the situation develops.
The M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has claimed to have captured the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This advance has resulted in the displacement of thousands and poses a threat of reigniting broader regional conflicts. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka urged residents to remain calm, asserting that the liberation of Goma was successful and under control.
Although it remains uncertain how much of Goma is under rebel control, witnesses reported sightings of M23 fighters in the city center. Residents reported gunfire in various locations, including the airport and near the Rwanda border. The rebels demanded that government soldiers surrender by 3 a.m. on Monday, leading to 100 Congolese troops surrendering their weapons to Uruguayan UN peacekeepers.
The eastern DRC borders are fraught with tensions rooted in historical conflicts, particularly following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. M23 represents a continuation of Tutsi-led rebellions, having briefly captured Goma in 2012. The group resurfaced in late 2021, increasingly supported by Rwanda.
United Nations special representative Bintou Keita highlighted the panic in Goma due to the advancing M23 forces, who are reportedly using civilians as human shields. DRC’s foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, accused Rwanda of blatant aggression. Rwanda’s ambassador, Ernest Rwamucyo, refrained from commenting on DRC’s allegations, instead suggesting the crisis could have been avoided with a genuine peace commitment from the DRC government.
The ongoing conflict exacerbates an already significant humanitarian crisis, with over one-third of North Kivu’s population displaced, as reported by the United Nations. Given the historical context and recent developments, the situation remains precarious and requires urgent attention to prevent further escalation.
The situation in the eastern DRC is marked by decades of conflict fueled by ethnic tensions and the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. M23 is a Tutsi-led rebel group that emerged from these historical conflicts, advocating for the protection of the Tutsi ethnic group within the DRC. The region has seen multiple rebel factions, and the resurgence of M23 poses serious implications for regional stability and humanitarian conditions.
The capture of Goma by M23 rebels, with alleged Rwandan support, underscores the fragility of security in eastern DRC. Key figures from both the DRC government and UN have expressed strong concerns regarding the implications of this rebellion, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold due to the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
