M23 rebels have seized Minova in eastern DR Congo, nearing the provincial capital of Goma. This follows intense fighting, resulting in over 200,000 displaced civilians. Reports indicate increased attacks on civilians, while international efforts to resolve the conflict have largely stalled amidst ongoing accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured the eastern town of Minova in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to various sources. This capture brings the rebels within 25 miles of the provincial capital, Goma, a significant city located near the Rwandan border. The take-over follows the M23’s earlier seizure of Masisi, amidst ongoing intense conflict between the rebels and Congolese army.
Recent months have seen severe clashes within the mineral-rich region, forcing over 200,000 civilians to flee their homes. Corneille Nangaa, the head of the Congo River Alliance, stated, “Minova is in our hands,” while provincial governor Jean-Jacques Purusi confirmed the city’s capture. Reports from Goma also corroborate that Minova has fallen to the M23 forces.
Humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross, report an influx of wounded individuals treated in the provincial capital hospital due to ongoing hostilities. “Between the 1 and 21 of December we saw 100 patients (and) between the 1 and 20 January we had 211 patients,” noted Myriam Favier, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in North Kivu.
Since 2021, the M23 has intermittently engaged in combat, expanding its territorial control in eastern DR Congo, thus displacing hundreds of thousands. Although fighting paused briefly in late July, significant hostilities resumed by October, culminating in alarming violence at year’s end. On Monday, Amnesty International reported that both sides have increased attacks in civilian areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The M23 rebels are often criticized by both DR Congo and the UN for operating as proxy forces for Rwanda, a claim that Rwanda has continually denied. However, previous UN reports have indicated that Rwanda may have had approximately 4,000 troops supporting the M23 in Congolese territory. Numerous diplomatic initiatives have been attempted to resolve the ongoing conflict, but most have been unsuccessful, including recent scheduled talks that were canceled under tense circumstances.
Additional reporting has been contributed by Emery Makumeno in Kinshasa.
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The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has persisted for decades, with various armed groups vying for control, particularly in the mineral-rich eastern regions. The M23 rebel group, which emerged in 2012, has frequently been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, a claim that the Rwandan government has denied. The ongoing violence has resulted in profound humanitarian crises, with thousands displaced and injuries reported among civilians, bringing international attention and calls for diplomatic solutions to the protracted conflict.
The capture of Minova by M23 rebels underscores the escalating conflict in eastern DR Congo and the humanitarian fallout resulting from the violence. As fighting intensifies and civilian casualties rise, the plight of displaced populations worsens, with international organizations urging for intervention. Diplomatic efforts have repeatedly fallen short, reflecting the complexities of the regional dynamics involving both DR Congo and Rwanda.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
