The DRC President Felix Tshisekedi plans emergency talks with Rwandan leader Paul Kagame amidst escalating violence in Goma, where M23 rebels supported by Rwandan forces are on the verge of seizing control. Clashes have resulted in over 100 fatalities and left hospitals overwhelmed. Protests have erupted in Kinshasa against perceived inaction from foreign embassies, while humanitarian aid efforts are struggling to cope with the crisis.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, is scheduled to engage in urgent discussions with Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame as M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwandan forces, appear poised to control Goma, a significant city in the eastern DRC. This meeting is set against a backdrop of escalating violence which has led to the capture of Goma’s airport by M23 fighters amid intense clashes that have resulted in numerous casualties and injuries. As the offensive intensifies, the presence of M23 and Rwandan troops dominates Goma’s streets, raising concerns over the state of Congolese forces, with many reportedly having surrendered.
The unfolding crisis has triggered mass displacement and a pressing humanitarian situation wherein the UN has issued warnings about severe food shortages, looting of aid, overcrowding in hospitals, and the risk of epidemic outbreaks. Residents fleeing violence, such as Destin Jamaica Kela, describe the chaos and the rapid worsening of conditions in Goma, highlighting the life-threatening environment.
Amid these developments, protests erupted in Kinshasa, where demonstrators expressed outrage against foreign embassies, blaming them for failing to halt the conflict in Goma. Incidents of violence included attacks on embassies from various nations, including France and the United States, leading to advisories for citizens to evacuate.
The humanitarian response to the crisis is increasingly strained, with the International Committee of the Red Cross indicating that hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of injured individuals. There is also grave concern over the potential dangers posed by toxic pathogens from local laboratories if fighting leads to further instability.
The UN Security Council has underscored the risk of reigniting historical ethnic conflicts. The DRC government has dismissed the UN’s cautious stance regarding Rwanda’s involvement and has called for more decisive international action. The African Union has urged the M23 group to disarm, while the DRC accuses Rwanda of exploiting regional mineral resources amid the ongoing violence, despite Rwanda’s claims of targeting another armed faction.
Calls for an immediate ceasefire have echoed from various international authorities, yet previous peace initiatives have proven ineffective. The situation remains precarious as the DRC grapples with historic tensions and escalating violence, compounded by the devastating humanitarian consequences resulting from the conflict.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has long been plagued by conflict, largely influenced by the repercussions of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which continue to affect regional dynamics. The M23 group, which briefly seized Goma in 2012, resurfaced in late 2021 and has since escalated its military actions, raising alarms about territorial control and international involvement. The recent resurgence of violence coincides with complex local and international interests in the region’s abundant mineral wealth, leading to heightened humanitarian crises and geopolitical tensions.
In summary, the crisis in Goma represents a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, marked by military offensives, humanitarian disasters, and increasing geopolitical tensions involving regional actors such as Rwanda. Calls for ceasefire and disarmament remain urgent, emphasizing the need for cooperative international efforts to stabilize the region and mitigate the human suffering caused by persistent violence.
Original Source: www.france24.com
