Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have captured the eastern city of Goma in the DRC, prompting government denials and escalating regional tensions. UN officials report growing humanitarian crises with thousands displaced, as both the DRC government and Rwanda accuse one another of aggression. Calls for calm and support for the Congolese military have been echoed amidst fears of broader conflict.
On January 27, ethnic-Tutsi rebels, known as M23, reportedly seized the strategic eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to intense clashes with government forces and a surge of refugees. Despite government denial from Kinshasa, evidence from social media appearing to show M23 fighters gaining control of the city suggests otherwise. UN officials, including Bintou Keita, indicated that the ongoing fighting has isolated their mission in Goma.
The situation in Goma reflects broader tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Rwanda, amid a severe humanitarian crisis. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, while Kigali claims the DRC backs groups aimed at destabilizing its regime. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant displacement, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region.
The conflict involving M23 rebels in Goma underscores the escalating tensions in the region, posing a threat not only to local stability but to wider regional peace. The international community has been urged to intervene, as the UN has highlighted the risks associated with ongoing military actions by M23. As humanitarian crises deepen, the call for calm and unity among the Congolese remains crucial.
Original Source: www.upi.com
