Gunfire erupted in Goma as protests in Kinshasa targeted foreign embassies, reflecting widespread outrage over international inaction. The clash involves Congolese military forces and militia backed by Rwanda, with the recent escalation leading to significant humanitarian concerns. 17 people have died and food assistance has been paused, prompting urgent calls for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
Gunfire erupted in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday as Congolese soldiers engaged in conflict with militia groups allegedly supported by Rwandan troops. This violence follows the entry of Tutsi-led M23 fighters into Goma, escalating an ongoing conflict that has plagued the mineral-rich region since the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The situation has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing approximately half a million individuals in 2023 alone.
In Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital, demonstrators expressing outrage over perceived international neglect attacked several embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, Belgium, and the United States. Kenyan official Korir Sing’Oei condemned the violence directed at embassies, while the U.S. embassy advised its citizens to remain indoors. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot labeled the attacks as unacceptable, confirming that the fire in the French embassy has been controlled.
While the intensity of fighting in Goma seemed to reduce on Tuesday, residents reported ongoing gunfire in the city, which is already hosting around 700,000 internally displaced persons. M23 fighters were seen moving through the streets, equipped with weapons, while civilians recounted instances of looting by both soldiers and militia. Reports indicate that at least 17 people were killed and 367 wounded in recent clashes.
The humanitarian situation worsens as the United Nations announced a pause in food assistance due to escalating violence, raising alarms about potential food shortages. The World Food Programme warned that the next 24 hours are critical for the local populace struggling to find sustenance. Additionally, the Red Cross cautioned of severe consequences if pathogens housed in local laboratories are released during the conflict.
In response to these developments, the UN Security Council has arranged an emergency meeting. The DRC government expressed dissatisfaction with prior vague statements from the Council, calling for stronger measures against Rwanda, which has denied allegations of seeking to exploit the DRC’s mineral wealth. Concurrently, an emergency meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council is scheduled to address the crisis.
Following the re-emergence of the M23 group in late 2021, which has been involved in previous conflicts in Goma, diplomatic efforts have failed to maintain peace, including failed ceasefires and canceled talks between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The situation remains tense as President Tshisekedi is expected to address the nation positively.
The ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, is primarily fueled by the longstanding tensions arising from the Rwandan genocide and the involvement of various militia groups. The M23, a Tutsi-led armed group, re-emerged in 2021, rehashing historical grievances over land and resource control. The situation exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis, with extensive displacement and dire living conditions for the affected populations. International involvement complicates the dynamics, leading to protests against embassies linked to alleged foreign complicity in the region’s turmoil.
The violence in Goma underscores a critical humanitarian crisis in the DRC, exacerbated by historical regional tensions and the resurgence of militia groups. The international community’s response, as evidenced by recent protests and embassy attacks, denotes significant public frustration regarding inaction. As diplomatic talks are set to commence, the outcome could greatly affect the nation’s stability and the plight of its displaced citizens.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
