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Escalation in Goma as M23 Rebels Advance
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – On Monday, M23 rebels reportedly made significant inroads into the eastern city of Goma, claiming control of the area despite calls from the United Nations Security Council for peace and a halt to offensive actions.
Initial reports regarding the extent of the takeover remain unclear, with some sources indicating that army forces and U.N. peacekeepers are still present at the airport, as confirmed by local residents and officials.
This recent offensive has led to a mass exodus of residents from the mineral-rich eastern regions of Congo, amplifying concerns that an ongoing conflict could escalate into a broader regional war, similar to past decades of turmoil.
One local noted, “There is confusion in the city. Near the airport, the military is visible, but I haven’t actually seen M23 fighters yet.” Reports of looting were also mentioned, highlighting the chaos in the area.
Gunfire was reported nearby, and residents described hearing shots around the airport, city center, and close to the Rwandan border. Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, who heads the Air Transport Authority, asserted that government forces maintained control over the airport amid the unrest.
Unverified footage circulating on social media depicted local individuals looting items from the airport customs warehouse, alongside armed men believed to be affiliated with M23 moving through northern districts of the city.
While it remains uncertain who fired the shots heard throughout Goma, one witness speculated they may have been warning shots rather than an indication of active combat.
A demand for the surrender of government troops was issued by M23, with reports indicating that around 100 Congolese soldiers surrendered their weapons to Uruguayan forces involved in the U.N. mission (MONUSCO). This indicates a troubling dynamic in the ongoing conflict.
On Monday morning, families of MONUSCO staff were seen evacuating to Rwanda, with buses arranged to facilitate their departure.
Regional Implications and Meetings
The volatile situation prompted Kenya’s President William Ruto, who leads the East African Community bloc, to convene an emergency meeting with regional heads of state to address the crisis, as conveyed by Korir Sing’Oei, a senior official in Kenya’s foreign ministry.
The eastern territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which spans an area comparable to Western Europe, remain fraught with rebel factions and militia strongholds in the aftermath of two regional wars linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
M23, a Tutsi-led group that has emerged as one of the latest armed factions, claims its purpose is to defend the ethnic Tutsi community within Congo. The group is noted for its well-trained forces and advanced weaponry.
Amid rising tensions, the U.N. Security Council met for urgent discussions over the deteriorating situation, which has contributed to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Reports from U.N. experts suggest that Rwanda has deployed between 3,000 to 4,000 troops, providing crucial military support including missiles and snipers to bolster M23’s operations.
In response to international criticisms regarding Rwanda’s involvement, the Rwandan government dismissed these claims as unconstructive, attributing the surge in hostilities to actions taken by Kinshasa. Rwanda’s foreign ministry expressed concerns over regional security, emphasizing the need for a robust defensive stance due to threats posed by ongoing fighting near its borders.
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