Conflict escalates as M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, near control of Goma. Over 100 killed, nearly 1,000 injured. Emergency summit between DRC and Rwanda leaders planned to address crisis. Humanitarian conditions deteriorate, with protests in Kinshasa against international inaction.
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will meet with Rwandan President Paul Kagame for an urgent summit amidst escalating conflict involving the M23 rebel group. Reports indicate that M23 forces, allegedly supported by Rwandan troops, are on the verge of capturing the city of Goma in eastern DRC. Recently, M23 took control of Goma’s airport, intensifying concerns over humanitarian crises as violence has claimed over 100 lives and injured nearly 1,000 people.
Following recent clashes, the presence of M23 fighters is notably dominant in Goma, and many Congolese soldiers have reportedly surrendered. Media personnel have witnessed M23 and Rwandan forces patrolling the streets, raising alarm regarding the situation’s escalating peril. Currently, the extent of control between Congolese forces and the M23 remains unclear, but the gravity of conflict has prompted the summit.
Against this backdrop, the region’s historical tensions return to prominence, echoing the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with fears of intensified ethnic conflicts materializing. The situation has led to mass displacements, grotesque humanitarian conditions, including food shortages, and some hospitals in Goma overwhelming with casualties. Citizens like Destin Jamaica Kela recount their harrowing experiences amid the chaos, asserting rapid changes in their safety and living conditions.
Protests erupted in Kinshasa, where demonstrators targeted multiple embassies, expressing dissatisfaction with perceived international inaction regarding the turmoil in Goma. The US embassy has urged its citizens to evacuate, and the European Union has condemned the attacks as both unacceptable and troubling. Healthcare organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, are working diligently to address the critical health emergency in Goma amidst the chaos.
Recent fighting has hence displaced a considerable number of citizens, prompting worries of further humanitarian repercussions and potential disease spread due to the compromised healthcare system. Notably, the conflict in North Kivu has roots deep in the region’s turbulent past and has now reached a point that necessitates urgent international mediation and intervention.
The UN Security Council is aware of the danger posed by the rising conflict and has called for accountability and action from involved parties. An extraordinary African Union meeting urged M23 to cease hostilities, although without directly addressing Rwanda. The continuous tension indicates deeper issues regarding resource control, particularly concerning the region’s valuable minerals, where recent reports suggest Rwandan military involvement alongside M23.
With the situation remaining dire and continued fatalities among peacekeeping forces, recent efforts towards peace, including a prior ceasefire, have proven ineffective. Thus, the ongoing negotiations and interventions from leaders and organizations are fundamentally critical to establishing stability and addressing the humanitarian crisis before it escalates further.
The ongoing conflict between the DRC and M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, stems from a complex history of regional tensions rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The area has long been plagued by violent confrontations as various armed groups vie for control, complicating peace and stability in the eastern regions. M23’s resurgence in late 2021 and their swift advances have precipitated dire humanitarian conditions, with the international community urging urgent action to prevent further escalation in violence and humanitarian crises.
In summary, the current crisis in Goma represents a serious challenge to regional stability, marked by intensified military actions from the M23 rebel group and resulting humanitarian disasters. The emergency summit between DRC and Rwandan leaders reflects the urgent need for diplomatic engagement. As international attention focuses on this escalating conflict and its implications, addressing the root causes and humanitarian fallout is imperative to prevent further loss and suffering.
Original Source: www.france24.com
