Goma Falls: M23 Rebels Seize Eastern Congolese City, Deepening Africa’s Longest War
Early Monday morning, the eastern congolese city of Goma, the largest in North Kivu province, fell under the control of the M23 rebels. This dramatic turn of events has sent shockwaves through the region, plunging a city of 2 million into chaos and further escalating a conflict that has plagued the Democratic Republic of Congo for decades.
The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda according too United Nations experts and other credible sources, asserted their control over Goma just minutes before a 48-hour ultimatum they issued to the Congolese army expired. In a statement, the rebels urged Goma’s residents to maintain calm while calling on members of the Congolese military to gather at the city’s central stadium.
The capture of Goma represents a perilous escalation of the M23 offensive in a region rich in valuable minerals. “We are trapped,” declared the U.N.’s special representative for Congo during an urgent Security Council meeting, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation. With the airport shut down and roads effectively blocked,the vast region’s humanitarian and security hub has become dangerously isolated.
The impact on civilians is stark. Already, over a third of North Kivu’s population is displaced, and the capture of Goma is expected to dramatically worsen this crisis.As U.N. peacekeepers began processing surrendering Congolese soldiers on the city’s outskirts Sunday night, the Congolese government, through its spokesman Patrick Muyaya, issued a desperate call for civilian protection, stating, “We are in a war situation where the news is changing.”
The international community is grappling with the implications of this volatile situation. In a move escalating tensions, Congo severed ties with Rwanda late Saturday. Rwanda,however,maintains its denial of supporting the M23 despite compelling evidence presented by U.N. experts and other credible sources. The surge in violence has already resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 13 peacekeepers in the past week, further amplifying the human cost of this enduring conflict.
The M23’s recent territorial gains along the Congolese- Rwandan border paint a grim picture of the escalating conflict. Months of regional peace efforts have proven ineffective in halting the rebels’ advance, leaving the region on the brink of further instability.
Tensions Flare as M23 Rebels Approach Goma, Rwanda Accused of Backing Offensive
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is reeling as M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces according to Congo and U.N. experts, advance towards the strategically important city of Goma.Tensions escalated dramatically over the weekend, prompting a flurry of diplomatic activity and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
On Sunday, the Uruguayan army, stationed in Goma as part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission,reported that over a hundred Congolese soldiers had surrendered and were seeking refuge at the “Siempre Presente” base,awaiting the disarmament,demobilization and reintegration process. The move came as photos emerged of armed men, some in military uniform and others in civilian clothes, registering with the peacekeepers.
“Despite the support provided by UN peacekeepers to the Congolese armed forces, M23 and Rwandan forces entered the Munigi neighborhood on Goma’s outskirts, causing mass panic,”
denounced Bintou Keita, the U.N. special representative, to the Security Council.Munigi is located just 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Goma.
Keita painted a grim picture of the situation:
“M23 fighters were advancing, using residents as human shields while others fled for their lives.M23 has declared the airspace over goma closed. In other words, we are trapped.”
Consequently, the U.N. is temporarily relocating its non-essential personnel from the city.
Congo’s foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, further escalated the situation by telling the Security Council, “Rwanda is committing a frontal aggression, a declaration of war which no longer hides itself behind diplomatic maneuvers.”
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the U.N., Ernest Rwamucyo, did not directly confirm or deny Congo’s accusations. Instead, he deflected blame onto Congo’s government, stating that the crisis could have been averted if it had “demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace.”
Faced with this escalating crisis, the United States and France have called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Rwanda to cease its support for M23
Dorothy shea, the acting U.S. Ambassador, issued a stark warning: “The U.S.will consider all the tools at its disposal to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining the armed conflict.”
The violence has already claimed the lives of two U.N. peacekeepers from South Africa and one from Uruguay, while eleven others are hospitalized. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the M23 offensive,stating,“It is supported by the Rwanda Defense Forces.” He demanded that M23 immediatly cease all unfriendly actions and withdraw from Congolese territory.
The conflict in eastern Congo is a complex and deeply rooted issue,fueled by ethnic tensions,a desire for control of valuable resources,and the proliferation of armed groups. The current confrontation between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government, with accusations of Rwandan support, casts a long shadow over regional stability and raises the stakes for all involved.
Fear Grips Goma as M23 Rebels Advance
The streets of Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo often caught in the crossfire of regional conflict, are once again echoing with the sounds of war. The M23 rebel group, known for its prior seizure of Goma in 2012, has launched a renewed offensive, pushing closer to the city’s outskirts and triggering a wave of panic among its residents.
Thousands of civilians, fleeing the violence that has gripped the northeastern province of North Kivu, are streaming into Goma, seeking refuge from the intensifying conflict. Their desperate journeys are punctuated by harrowing accounts of witnessing soldiers on the Rwandan border indiscriminately firing bombs and launching attacks. “We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting,” recounted Safi Shangwe, a displaced resident walking towards the city.
The situation for those seeking safety in Goma itself feels equally precarious. FEARFUL whispers circulate about the presence of explosives within the city, leaving many with nowhere to turn. “I heard that ther are bombs in Goma, too, so now we don’t know where to go,” expressed Adèle Shimiye, her voice trembling with anxiety.
Adding to the chaos, hundreds are attempting to escape to Rwanda, their desperate hope for sanctuary met with stringent checks at the border crossing east of goma. “I am crossing to the other side to see if we will have a place of refuge as for the moment, security in the city is not guaranteed,” shared Muahadi Amani, a Goma resident, his eyes carrying the weight of uncertainty.
International aid agencies are sounding the alarm. Joyce Msuya, the Deputy Humanitarian Chief at the United Nations, painted a stark picture, warning that “if hostilities spill into Goma – a densely populated urban center – the impact on civilians could be devastating.”
The Congolese army maintains that it is actively defending against the M23 offensive with the support of allied forces, including UN peacekeepers and troops from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC). However, the cost of this battle has been steep. The South African defense ministry revealed that two South African peacekeepers and seven SAMIDRC troops have been killed in recent fighting.
Tensions between Congo and Rwanda have escalated dramatically. Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing Rwandan forces of backing the M23 rebels. While Rwanda denies these allegations, it maintains that Congolese security officials have harassed and threatened rwandan diplomats.
Goma resident Bahati Jackson and his family have faced this fear before. They vividly recall fleeing the city when the M23 captured it in 2012. This time, though, they are resolute in their decision to stay. ”if we’re going to die, it’s better to die here,” Jackson declared, his defiance echoing the resilience of a community steadfast to survive amidst the chaos.
