M23 Rebels Claim Control of Goma: Crisis Unfolds in Eastern Congo
M23 rebels have claimed control over Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, triggering widespread panic among its two million residents. The United Nations reports on escalating violence and humanitarian crises, while Congo’s government denounces the situation as a declaration of war. Diplomatic ties have been severed with Rwanda amid accusations of its support for the rebels.
The M23 rebels assert that they have seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, amidst claims of mass panic among its population of two million residents. The United Nations characterized the situation as dire, with the Congolese government denouncing the rebel actions as a declaration of war. The rebels issued a statement before a 48-hour ultimatum for the Congolese military to surrender expired, urging calm and compliance from military personnel.
The conflict, rooted in the mineral-rich region, further complicates an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with nearly one-third of North Kivu province’s residents already displaced. Late on Sunday night, United Nations peacekeepers began processing military surrenders on the outskirts of Goma. The Congolese government has also expressed concerns over the worsening situation, calling for increased civilian protection amidst escalating violence.
As fighting escalates, the U.N. Special Representative for Congo reported chaos as M23 rebels advanced, claiming to use civilians as shields. With Goma’s airport closed and roads impassable, they warned of a humanitarian crisis growing in the city. The rebels previously commanded Goma in 2012 but withdrew post-international pressure; now, their resurgence threatens both safety and stability.
The Congolese government announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Rwanda, whom they accuse of supporting M23, despite Rwanda’s denials. Tensions have escalated in recent days, leading to fatalities among U.N. peacekeepers as Congo vows to resist M23 offensive supporters. International calls for a ceasefire have been made, urging Rwanda to cease its involvement in the conflict.
Civilians are fleeing Goma due to increasing violence, with many fearing for their safety in the city as gunfire echoes nearby. Local residents have been attempting to cross into Rwanda seeking refuge from the chaos, while humanitarian officials warn that any spillover into Goma, a densely populated area, could have catastrophic effects on civilians. The Congolese army is engaging with allied forces to repel the M23 advance, but uncertainty looms over the city’s future stability.
The M23 rebel group, composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, emerged from a background of regional strife and complex ethnic tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have a history of conflict with the Congolese army, dating back to their prior takeover of Goma in 2012. The current violence in eastern Congo is exacerbated by the area’s rich mineral resources, which have long fueled conflict among multiple armed groups, including M23, leading to severe humanitarian crises affecting millions of civilians. International involvement and accusations of external support, particularly from Rwanda, contribute to the tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
The capture of Goma by M23 rebels represents a significant escalation in ongoing violence, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community, particularly through the U.N., has condemned the offensive and called for immediate action to protect civilians. With diplomatic ties severed between Congo and Rwanda, prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain. As civilians flee the escalating violence, the situation in Goma demands urgent attention to prevent further humanitarian disaster.
Original Source: www.newspressnow.com
