M23 rebels have taken control of Minova, a crucial supply town near Goma, along with several mining towns in eastern DRC. The provincial army acknowledged the rebel advancements without confirming total captures. The situation is part of a larger humanitarian crisis, with millions killed and displaced since the conflict’s inception, amidst allegations of Rwandan support to M23.
Authorities have confirmed that M23 rebels have seized the vital eastern town of Minova, which functions as a critical supply route for Goma, the provincial capital of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The provincial governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi, reported that the rebels have also taken control of several mining towns including Lumbishi, Numbi, Shanje, and Bweremana in North Kivu Province. The DRC army acknowledged the rebels’ advancements but did not officially confirm the complete capture of these towns.
M23, or the March 23 Movement, is an armed group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis that separated from the Congolese army over a decade ago. After re-emerging in 2022, M23 has continued to expand its territorial control in eastern DRC, amidst ongoing conflicts involving around 100 armed factions competing for dominance in a region rich in minerals. This prolonged conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with approximately six million fatalities and seven million internally displaced individuals since 1998.
According to the United Nations, more than 237,000 individuals have fled their homes due to fighting in eastern Congo since the current year began. The DRC government, alongside the United Nations, has accused Rwanda of providing support, in the form of troops and weaponry, to the M23 group, a claim which Rwanda categorically denies.
Combat has also intensified in regions surrounding Goma, which briefly fell under the control of M23 in 2012. Reports indicate that the civilian population is increasingly anxious regarding the potential for shelling from the front lines to affect neighborhoods within Goma. Access routes into the city remain disrupted by ongoing combat, forcing residents to ensure their supplies cross Lake Kivu in overloaded vessels that frequently capsise.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that numerous international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Minova have suspended their activities due to the deteriorating security situation in the region.
The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has persisted for decades, driven by ethnic tensions and competition over valuable natural resources. Since the late 1990s, the region has seen an alarming rise in violence instigated by various armed groups, including M23. This turmoil has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with millions displaced and numerous casualties. The situation remains compounded by allegations of external involvement, notably from neighboring Rwanda, further complicating peace efforts.
In summary, the capture of Minova by M23 rebels marks a significant escalation in eastern DRC’s ongoing conflict, jeopardizing supply routes to Goma and reflecting the broader humanitarian crisis that has developed over decades. The involvement of various armed groups, including the M23, continues to destabilize the region amid accusations of external support. The international community must continue to address the dire humanitarian needs and seek sustainable peace in the DRC to quell further violence and displacement.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
