The M23 rebels are advancing towards Goma, prompting military responses from the Congolese army. The fighting has led to the displacement of millions and heightened tensions over potential Rwandan involvement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the renewed offensive due to its devastating impact on civilians.
Panic ensued in Goma on Thursday as M23 rebels advanced toward the city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during intense clashes with the Congolese military. In response, Congolese helicopter gunships targeted rebel positions while ground troops moved towards the front line to defend the provincial capital, which has a significant population and serves as a regional security and humanitarian hub.
The M23 rebels have made notable progress in their offensive, having captured several towns near Goma in recent weeks. This group is one of nearly 100 armed factions vying for control over the resource-rich region, which borders Rwanda. Due to the persistent violence, over seven million Congolese individuals have been forcibly displaced from their homes.
Among the towns recently taken are Minova, Katale, and Masisi, which lie to the west of Goma. Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the M23, claimed on social media that their advance is intended to liberate the suffering residents of Goma. Schools in the city were closed, sending students home amid the chaos.
Allegations have emerged from the United States, United Nations, and Congolese experts accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, who mainly consist of ethnic Tutsis that previously broke away from the national military. On the same day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his alarm regarding the resurgence of hostilities and condemned the M23’s renewed offensive.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is embroiled in a long-standing conflict characterized by the presence of over 100 armed groups, including the M23, which has capitalized on the region’s mineral wealth. This prolonged struggle has resulted in one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, significantly affecting civilian populations and leading to extensive displacement. The M23 rebels were initially formed when a faction of the Congolese army defected, fueled by historical ethnic tensions and regional instability involving neighboring countries, particularly Rwanda.
The situation in eastern DR Congo remains dire as fighting continues between the Congolese military and M23 rebels, with Goma under threat of invasion. The advancing rebels have already caused significant displacement and fear among the local population. International entities, including the United Nations, have expressed grave concern regarding the civilian toll and the potential for escalating conflict in the region.
Original Source: www.dw.com
