Congolese Rebels Claim Control Over Strategic City of Goma
Rebels in the DRC have claimed control of Goma, issuing an ultimatum for government forces to surrender. Recent clashes have led to peacekeeper fatalities, escalating regional tensions amid accusations of Rwandan involvement. The M23 group, primarily composed of Tutsis, has made significant territorial gains, raising concerns over the humanitarian situation and security in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
Congolese rebels have asserted control over the critical city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The leader of the M23 rebel group stated on Sunday that government forces were given a deadline until 3 AM to surrender their weapons. This escalation follows the recent deaths of 13 peacekeeping soldiers during clashes with the rebels, according to United Nations officials.
The entry of Congolese rebels and their Rwandan allies into Goma has caused significant panic among residents, as stated by Bintu Keita, the UN’s special representative in the DRC. The strategic city serves a population of approximately two million and plays a vital role in regional security and humanitarian efforts. The airport is reported to be non-operational due to the conflict.
The M23 group is largely composed of ethnic Tutsis who previously defected from the Congolese army. For more than a decade, they have fought among the approximately 100 armed factions in the resource-rich eastern region of the DRC, contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Their recent territorial advancements have intensified the ongoing conflict.
The DRC government has accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebellion, leading to a severance of diplomatic relations. In response to claims of a Rwandan military presence, a Congolese military source commented, “Rwanda is trying to get in by all means, but we are holding firm.”
Following the violence, the DRC recalled its diplomats from Rwanda and called for an end to all diplomatic activities between the two nations. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating situation, during which France urged Rwanda to withdraw its military from Congolese territory and the UK condemned attacks against peacekeeping forces by the M23.
In the aftermath of recent clashes, a Congolese military governor lost his life, and the army reports having thwarted an M23 offensive with assistance from allied forces, including UN peacekeepers. Over the past days, the surge in violence has resulted in numerous fatalities, including nine South African peacekeepers, along with others from Malawi and Uruguay.
Decades of conflict in eastern DRC have led to immense loss of life and forced the displacement of over seven million individuals, primarily driven by fighting for land and resources. The UN peacekeeping contingent has maintained a presence in the DRC for over twenty years, currently deploying around 14,000 soldiers.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced persistent instability due to ongoing armed conflicts involving numerous factions, particularly in the eastern region rich in minerals. The DRC has struggled with humanitarian crises resulting from decades of violence, with millions displaced and hundreds of thousands deceased. The M23 group has emerged as a significant player in recent conflicts, with allegations of external support influencing its activities. The involvement of Rwanda has complicated relations and contributed to heightened tensions amidst international calls for peace and stability.
The situation in Goma represents a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict within the DRC, with significant implications for regional stability and humanitarian efforts. The involvement of the M23 rebels and Rwandan forces poses a serious challenge to the Congolese government, escalating tensions between the two nations. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, with urgent calls for restraint and dialogue in the face of rising violence and the humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.moreradio.online
