The humanitarian crisis in Goma has escalated due to clashes between Congolese soldiers and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The United Nations reported overwhelmed hospitals, and the World Food Program halted food assistance. Urgent talks involving regional leaders are planned, while the U.S. condemned the assault, highlighting the necessity for a ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Recent hostilities in Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have raised significant humanitarian concerns, as the United Nations reported gunfire amid clashes between Congolese forces and Rwandan-supported M23 rebels. The situation has escalated to a point where hospitals are overwhelmed, leading the World Food Program to suspend food assistance operations in the region.
During a briefing, U.N. humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke expressed the urgent need for humanitarian action as tensions rose. To address the crisis, an emergency meeting was initiated, scheduled for Wednesday, involving Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, who emphasized that a military resolution is unattainable.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks on Goma during a phone call with President Tshisekedi, underscoring the United States’ support for the DRC’s sovereignty. Additionally, U.N. representative Bruno Lemarquis indicated that active conflict zones have emerged throughout Goma, creating a perilous and unstable environment where vital infrastructure, such as electricity and telecommunications, has been severely disrupted, and humanitarian warehouses have faced looting.
Since the M23 rebels resumed their offensive in January, they have made considerable territorial acquisitions, threatening to escalate their conflict into neighboring South Kivu. The United Nations Security Council has urged an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of any foreign military support for the insurgents, while calling for renewed mediation efforts led by Angolan President João Lourenço.
The humanitarian crisis deepens as Lemarquis called for temporary humanitarian pauses and the establishment of corridors to facilitate aid and assist civilians trapped in combat. In response to the escalating violence, the U.N. has allocated $17 million from its emergency fund to address immediate humanitarian necessities in the DRC.
The U.N. has also evacuated nonessential personnel from Goma to Kinshasa or a nearby base in Uganda, while reinforcing its peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, with additional troop deployments to confront the rebels. U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasized the critical need to prioritize the safety of civilians in Goma and the welfare of U.N. personnel amidst the conflict, where recent hostilities have resulted in casualties among peacekeepers.
The eastern DRC has long suffered from insecurity and humanitarian turmoil, with millions displaced by ongoing violence from armed factions vying for control over the region’s resource-rich territories. The situation is dire and requires urgent attention to alleviate the suffering caused by this protracted crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in long-standing conflicts, primarily regarding armed groups’ attempts to gain control over its abundant mineral resources. This has resulted in one of the world’s most extended humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and basic human needs unmet. The recent surge in violence from the M23 rebel group, which is believed to be backed by Rwanda, has further exacerbated this deteriorating situation, prompting international concern and calls for peace initiatives.
The ongoing conflict in Goma underscores an urgent humanitarian crisis that requires immediate international attention and action. The U.N. has mobilized necessary resources and personnel to support the DRC’s stability, yet the situation remains volatile. The international community’s support is crucial to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of civilians while promoting effective humanitarian operations in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
