In a dramatic prison escape in Goma, DRC, thousands fled as M23 rebels claimed control of the city. The unrest has incited widespread fear, exacerbating a serious humanitarian crisis amid retaliatory tensions with Rwanda. UN officials and international leaders are calling for urgent intervention and resolution to prevent further destabilization.
A significant mass prison break occurred in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday, as prisoners fled a jail set ablaze amidst ongoing violence. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed the capture of the strategically important city, provoking panic among Goma’s two million residents. Artillery fire rattled the area as witnesses reported the rebels entering the lakeside city, although it remains unclear if they achieved full control.
The United Nations indicated that the advancing rebel troops are contributing to widespread fear within the population, with many residents fleeing towards safety. The DRC government has condemned the incursions, stating it amounts to a declaration of war from Rwanda, which has reportedly retaliated with gunfire across their shared border.
The region has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with the M23 group among numerous armed factions vying for control over the mineral-rich territories. Following a brief takeover of Goma in 2012, M23 resurfaced in late 2021 with renewed support, which the Rwandan government denies, according to DRC officials and UN assessments.
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC’s foreign minister, accused Rwanda of overt aggression. France has voiced solidarity with the DRC, urging the cessation of military offensive by M23. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for de-escalation of tensions between the two nations, emphasizing the necessity for dialogue.
The UN criticized the rebels for undermining the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Refugee camps around Goma are reportedly depleting as thousands flee the escalating violence, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis. Local charity representatives highlighted the dire situation for displaced families, many of whom face repeated dislocation.
In the past week alone, at least 13 UN peacekeepers have lost their lives to the ongoing hostilities. Approximately 14,000 peacekeeping troops are currently stationed in the DRC, although some Congolese soldiers are reported to have surrendered. Kigali has organized transportation for UN personnel and their families wishing to evacuate Goma over the border to Rwanda.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is grappling with turbulence due to the ongoing advances of the M23 rebel group, which has historical roots in regional conflict. The recent violence has exacerbated humanitarian issues, prompting a mass exodus of individuals seeking refuge amidst an intensifying crisis. Meanwhile, neighboring Rwanda’s alleged support for the rebels has heightened diplomatic tensions, with international calls for intervention and resolution to avert further destabilization in the region.
The situation in Goma reflects a complex interplay of regional war dynamics, humanitarian crises, and international diplomatic efforts. With thousands of prisoners having escaped amidst escalating violence and a massive inflow of displaced persons, the DRC faces unprecedented challenges. Global and regional stakeholders continue to call for immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of dialogue to restore peace and stabilize the area.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
