Escalating Conflict in Goma: M23 Rebels Claim Control Amid Chaos
Fighting in Goma, DR Congo, intensifies as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels assume control. Artillery strikes have led to civilian casualties, and the situation remains precarious. U.N. representatives report disruptions to vital services, and humanitarian efforts are severely impacted as the conflict escalates dramatically.
Fighting continues to rage across Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels assert their control over the area. Bruno Lemarquis, a senior U.N. official, stated that active combat zones now encompass all neighborhoods in the city. The declaration follows the rebels’ entrance into Goma, resulting in armed exchanges between Congolese forces and the Rwandan military along the border, representing a severe escalation in a decade-long conflict.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. peacekeeping chief, confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops in Goma supporting the M23, although he noted that estimating their exact numbers is challenging. While the situation is described as volatile and dangerous, U.N. peacekeepers have remained stationed in various field positions. The M23, an ethnic Tutsi-led militia, claims to have taken control of Goma, a city with a population exceeding 2 million, which serves as a crucial base for humanitarian efforts and displaced persons.
Lemarquis reported artillery fire targeting Goma’s center, which struck a maternity hospital, resulting in civilian casualties, including fatalities and injuries among newborns and pregnant women. The conditions on the ground have been characterized as chaotic by U.N. representatives. The ongoing conflict has prompted the relocation of non-essential U.N. personnel from the DRC to Uganda for safety considerations.
As of Monday, Goma’s connectivity has deteriorated significantly, with disruptions to internet, phone services, electricity, and access to clean water. Reports indicate that the city has nearly descended into turmoil as fighting intensifies, further complicating humanitarian efforts.
The ongoing violent clashes in Goma have roots in a complex historical conflict involving multiple ethnic groups, particularly the Tutsi and Hutu tribes. The M23 militia has previously seized control of the city and has been implicated in various human rights violations. Rwandan influence in eastern Congo has contributed to longstanding unrest, complicating peacekeeping efforts by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations. This recent escalation signifies a critical moment in the region’s troubled history, affecting millions of civilians.
In conclusion, the situation in Goma remains dire as fighting continues between M23 rebels and Congolese forces, compounded by the presence of Rwandan troops. The U.N. has expressed grave concern regarding civilian safety amid ongoing artillery bombardments. The deteriorating conditions in Goma, exemplified by the disruption of essential services, create further challenges for humanitarian responses in the region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
