Clashes Erupt in Goma as Rwanda-Backed Rebels Challenge Congolese Forces

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are clashing with Congolese forces in Goma, escalating violence in North Kivu. Residents report panic as fighting intensifies, with casualties among both sides and a significant humanitarian crisis looming. U.N. officials call the situation dire, with roads blocked and calls for assistance growing louder.

Escalating tensions have sparked heavy clashes between the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, and Congolese government forces in Goma, North Kivu, on Monday. Residents have described the atmosphere filled with confusion and fear, with bombardments reported throughout the city. A local taxi driver, Safari Kanyagala Patrick, expressed his despair, stating, “We are surrounded; there is no place to go,” as he and his family barricaded themselves in their home amid the ongoing violence.

Another resident, Muzige Gakiza, reported that fighting had reached close to his house, revealing that he and his family had remained indoors since the previous day. As the situation remains unpredictable, a spokesman for M23, Lawrence Kayuka, proclaimed the “liberation” of Goma and urged Congolese military personnel to surrender. However, local journalist Jimmy Bakomera indicated that government forces still controlled certain areas of the city.

The Uruguayan army, assisting the U.N. peacekeeping mission, noted the offensive actions of the M23 and mentioned over 100 Congolese soldiers had capitulated. During a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. stabilization mission in Congo, remarked on the dire circumstances, stating that roads to Goma were blocked and airspace closed, implying that the city is effectively trapped

Reports indicate heavy casualties on both sides, with three U.N. peacekeepers killed and several others injured. Additionally, the commanding general of North Kivu lost his life in the conflict, and M23 has expanded its presence into South Kivu. Historically, the M23 group, mainly constituted of Tutsi members, previously seized Goma in 2012 before withdrawing.

This resurgence of violence poses a significant threat to the Democratic Republic of Congo, an area already scarred by decades of conflict. The United Nations estimates that approximately six million individuals have died from war-related causes since 1996. The ongoing fighting in 2023 has displaced around 400,000 individuals, a figure that has doubled within the week, as noted by the U.N.

On Sunday, Secretary-General António Guterres urged the Rwandan military to terminate its support for M23 and withdraw its forces from Congo. In light of the escalating violence, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has advised American citizens to evacuate North Kivu while borders remain open.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has a long history of conflict, involving various armed groups and foreign interventions, particularly from Rwanda. The M23 rebel group, known for their Tutsi membership, previously controlled Goma for a brief period under high international scrutiny. The region is rich in minerals but has frequently been marred by violence, leading to large-scale displacements and casualties. The current resurgence of hostilities threatens to plunge the area into deeper chaos, exacerbating humanitarian crises that affect millions of individuals.

The conflict in Goma epitomizes the ongoing instability affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring the dire humanitarian implications for the local population. With M23 rebels advancing and substantial casualties reported, the urgency for international intervention and peacekeeping efforts remains critical. The need for diplomatic resolutions to curb violence and protect civilians in the region is more paramount than ever.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com