Escalation of Conflict as M23 Rebels Capture Goma in DRC
M23 rebels have seized Goma in the DRC, exacerbating humanitarian distress. Ethnic tensions drive the conflict, with M23 claiming to protect Tutsis from Hutu militias. The capture of Goma could lead to further instability as international scrutiny intensifies regarding alleged foreign support for M23.
The M23 rebel group has taken control of Goma, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), escalating a prolonged conflict that has already caused significant humanitarian issues, including the displacement of over one million people. The situation in Goma has deteriorated dramatically, with hospitals overwhelmed and bodies left unattended in the streets.
This conflict is rooted in ethnic tensions, particularly involving the Tutsi minority, who assert that they require protection from armed groups such as the Hutu-originated Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The M23 group, which emerged in 2012, accuses the Congolese government of failing to meet the terms of a 2009 peace agreement aimed at providing better representation and integration for Tutsis.
The capture of Goma by M23 represents a critical juncture in the conflict, with the potential for further territorial expansion towards Bukavu. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, amid concerns about Rwanda’s involvement and the impact on global supply chains for essential minerals sourced from the region.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
