Fear and Gunshots Erupt in Goma Following Rebel Claims of Control

Residents of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, face uncertainty and fear following claims by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of a city takeover. Gunfire erupted as military personnel marched through the city. The U.N. condemned the violence, the Congolese government severed ties with Rwanda, and the humanitarian crisis deepens with over 6 million displaced due to conflict. The situation remains critical as many flee to neighboring countries.

Residents of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, experienced fear and uncertainty on Monday as Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have seized control of the area. The situation escalated overnight, with gunfire heard and armed men in military uniform seen marching through the city. The Congolese government has yet to confirm this alleged takeover by the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, despite the group’s previous history of temporary control over Goma.

The M23 rebel group has emerged as one of several armed groups vying for power in the mineral-rich region amid decades of conflict. Although the Congolese government and United Nations experts allege that Rwanda supports the M23 rebels, Rwanda has denied these accusations. This latest military escalation threatens to disrupt an already vulnerable area that is grappling with one of the worst humanitarian crises, displacing over 6 million people.

The U.N. Security Council condemned the M23’s actions, calling for an immediate reversal of their military advances and warning against the establishment of parallel administrations. The rebels declared the capture of Goma coinciding with the expiration of a surrender deadline for Congolese forces and urged residents to stay calm. In response, the Congolese government accused Rwanda of waging war and severed diplomatic relations.

Recent battles have resulted in several towns falling to the M23, culminating in their reported advance into Goma. Many residents fled the city in a panic, carrying their belongings and seeking refuge in Rwanda. Testimonies from those fleeing included accounts of soldiers launching attacks along the border.

The U.N. indicated a dire situation, with roads blocked and the local airport shut down, causing concern among its special representative about the grave humanitarian implications. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of at least 13 U.N. peacekeepers over the past week, impacting the long-standing peacekeeping efforts by MONUSCO in Congo. The Uruguayan army, part of this mission, noted that more than 100 Congolese soldiers had surrendered their weapons recently.

The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially in the eastern region, has a long and tumultuous history characterized by civil wars and involvement from neighboring countries. The M23 rebel group, originally formed in 2012, has been involved in various power struggles for control over the mineral-rich territories, persistently supported, according to Congolese officials, by Rwanda. This conflict has contributed significantly to the humanitarian crises, displacing millions and complicating international diplomatic relations, especially between the DRC and Rwanda.

The situation in Goma reflects the complexities of the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where a fragile peace is threatened by the resurgence of the M23 rebels with alleged support from Rwanda. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by increasing violence and displacement of civilians. The international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council, continues to call for restraint and adherence to Congo’s territorial sovereignty amidst escalating tensions.

Original Source: apnews.com