M23 Rebels Claim Control of Goma Amid Rising Tensions in DRC

M23 rebels assert their capture of Goma in eastern DRC, prompting fears of renewed conflict. The UN peacekeeping mission reported disturbances, while the Congolese government raised allegations against Rwanda. The situation has triggered significant civilian displacement, complicating an already critical humanitarian crisis in North Kivu.

Fighters from the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group have claimed to have captured Goma, an eastern city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a rapid advance that has resulted in significant displacement of residents and poses the risk of igniting a larger regional conflict. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka remarked on X, urging the populace to remain calm and assuring them that the situation was under control after the city’s liberation.

While it remains unclear how much of Goma is under rebel control, witnesses reported the presence of M23 fighters in the city center. Gunfire was heard near key locations including the airport and city border with Rwanda. The rebels had issued an ultimatum for government soldiers to surrender by 3 AM on Monday, subsequent to which a hundred Congolese soldiers surrendered their firearms to Uruguayan forces with the United Nations peacekeeping troop Monusco.

Given the volatile situation in eastern DRC, particularly in its borderlands, the region has been subject to various rebel and militia factions since the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. M23 is among many Tutsi-led rebel movements that have emerged over the years. During a recent meeting, UN special representative Bintou Keita informed the United Nations Security Council about the escalation, indicating that M23 and Rwandan forces had caused panic by invading the Munigi neighborhood.

The eastern border region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been historically unstable, marked by a legacy of conflict stemming from the Rwandan genocide and subsequent regional wars. M23 rebels claim to be fighting for the protection of the ethnic Tutsi community, a group that has faced repression. This latest offensive reflects a pattern of violence and destabilization, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation, with one-third of North Kivu’s population displaced as reported by the United Nations.

The ongoing advances by M23 in Goma reflect a grave escalation in the DRC’s conflict, with potential repercussions for regional stability. The humanitarian crisis worsens as thousands of individuals are forced from their homes. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda remain high, with accusations from Congolese officials highlighting the need for urgent international attention and diplomatic efforts to restore peace in the region.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com