Fear and Gunshots in Goma as Rwanda-Backed Rebels Claim Control

Gunfire and fear engulf Goma as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claim control amidst escalating conflict with Congolese forces. The U.N. Security Council has condemned these actions, urging a cessation of hostilities and respect for Congolese sovereignty. With the humanitarian crisis deepening, residents are fleeing the area, reflecting the region’s volatile security situation.

Residents of Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, experienced fear and uncertainty on Monday morning as Rwanda-backed rebels asserted control over the area after escalating confrontations with Congolese security forces. Gunfire echoed through the city overnight, and armed individuals in military garb were witnessed entering Goma, prompting cheers from some locals, though it remains unconfirmed if they represent the M23 rebel faction.

The M23 group, supported by Rwanda, is one of numerous armed factions competing for dominance in Congo’s mineral-rich zones amid one of Africa’s longest ongoing conflicts. They previously seized Goma in 2012 and re-emerged in late 2021 with increasing aid from Rwanda, acknowledged by the Congolese government and U.N. experts, a charge Rwanda has denied.

Analysts express concerns that the renewed hostilities may exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis, with over 6 million displaced persons in the region, including more than a third of North Kivu’s population. A U.N. report highlights the devastating impact of this conflict on civilians seeking safety.

This past Sunday, the U.N. Security Council urged the M23 to retract its recent advances, condemning their actions as breaches of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sovereignty. The Council called on the rebel faction to cease the establishment of rival administrations on Congolese territory, emphasizing their demand for respect to Congo’s sovereignty.

The M23 announced their claim over Goma coinciding with a deadline for Congolese forces to disarm. They encouraged the military to gather at a central stadium while urging city residents to maintain calm. In response, Congolese officials declared the country to be in a wartime situation, accusing Rwanda of aggression and severing diplomatic ties in the conflict’s wake.

The takeover by the M23 follows a protracted struggle against Congolese forces, which had witnessed the loss of several towns to the rebels. On Sunday, hundreds of Goma’s residents fled towards Rwanda, carrying their possessions due to fears of combat nearing the borders, with reports of bombings and gunfire.

Bintou Keita, the U.N.’s special representative for Congo, remarked during an emergency meeting that the situation was dire, stating, “we are trapped” as access to the airport was barred and roadway routes were obstructed. Amidst the chaos, at least 13 U.N. peacekeepers died in recent conflicts, with the MONUSCO mission having around 14,000 personnel deployed in Congo since its establishment over two decades ago.

The Uruguayan forces within Goma, as part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, reported that more than 100 Congolese soldiers surrendered their weapons, reflecting the deteriorating security conditions in the city.

The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has evolved over decades, with numerous armed groups, including the M23 rebel faction, fighting for control of resource-rich regions. The involvement of neighboring Rwanda has further complicated the situation, as accusations of support for the rebels from Kigali have persisted, straining bilateral relations. The humanitarian impact of the conflict has been severe, displacing millions and creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Recent escalations have led to increased tensions and fears among civilians in the affected areas, particularly in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

The situation in Goma highlights the fragile and escalating conflict between Rwanda-backed rebels and Congolese security forces. With fears mounting among residents and significant humanitarian implications, the international community is called upon to address this urgent crisis. The U.N. Security Council’s condemnation of the M23 and calls for respect for Congolese sovereignty indicate the critical need for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

Original Source: apnews.com