An armed group backed by Rwandan troops has captured Goma’s airport, leading to over 100 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries from violent clashes. As the M23 group gains ground, Goma faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with protests escalating across the DRC. The situation poses critical risks of renewed ethnic conflict and highlights the urgent need for international intervention.
On Tuesday, an armed group allied with Rwandan forces took control of the airport in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following three days of violent clashes that resulted in over 100 fatalities. Hospitals in Goma are overwhelmed, reporting nearly 1,000 injuries from the fighting, which has put the city’s stability in jeopardy as the Tutsi-led M23 group and its Rwandan allies continue their advance.
The M23’s takeover of the airport marks a significant setback for the Congolese army, which has faced widespread territorial losses to the M23 and Rwandan forces in the mineral-rich North Kivu province. Following their incursion into Goma, intense street fighting with heavy weaponry left the city littered with casualties, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Currently, it remains unclear how much territory within Goma is under the control of Congolese forces as opposed to the M23, which has declared its capture of the city. A security source has indicated that over 1,200 Congolese soldiers are now confined to a UN mission base at the airport, a symbol of the rapid military developments occurring in the eastern DRC.
This latest escalation in violence has revived fears of ethnic tensions reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide and has precipitated a growing humanitarian crisis, with the UN warning of mass displacements and dire food shortages throughout the region. Goma’s streets are largely deserted due to the violent confrontations, with civilians fleeing the chaos.
As violence rages on in Goma, protests have erupted in Kinshasa, resulting in attacks on foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, Belgium, and the United States. The US Embassy has urged American citizens to evacuate the country, while the EU has condemned the violence as unacceptable and troubling.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is working to address the influx of casualties into Goma’s already overwhelmed hospitals, where patients are reportedly lying on the floor due to lack of space. There are also warnings about the potential spread of diseases from an Ebola lab situated in the conflict zone, amid concerns for public health as the fighting continues.
The United Nations has convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating crisis, noting the risk of rekindling historic ethnic conflicts. The Congolese government expressed dissatisfaction with the UN’s statements, which did not explicitly name Rwanda as a contributor to the violence. Meanwhile, the African Union has called on the M23 militants to cease hostilities without mentioning Rwanda explicitly.
Rwanda has denied accusations that it seeks to exploit the DRC’s mineral wealth, asserting that it is primarily trying to neutralize threats from armed groups responsible for past atrocities. In the wake of the chaos, casualties include 17 peacekeepers from various missions who have lost their lives. The situation remains critical as Kenya plans a crisis summit involving leaders from DRC and Rwanda, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced persistent conflict and instability, largely due to historical ethnic tensions rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23 armed group, which re-emerged in late 2021, has been involved in violent confrontations with Congolese forces, seeking control over resource-rich territories. As regional dynamics shift, the situation continues to pose a severe challenge for humanitarian efforts and the stability of the DRC.
The situation in Goma illustrates a complex interplay of military aggression, historical grievances, and humanitarian crises. The M23 group’s increasing control poses significant threats to local stability, while the resulting humanitarian disaster underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention. As diplomatic efforts commence, the impact of renewed violence on the civilian population cannot be overstated, stressing the necessity for a comprehensive resolution to these longstanding issues.
Original Source: www.wfxg.com
