Nearly 3,000 people have been killed in Goma, DRC, after rebels captured the city. The UN reported 2,000 bodies found on the streets and 900 in morgues. Ongoing fighting contradicts a ceasefire announced by rebels, while the DRC government deemed it false. A humanitarian crisis unfolds amid decades of violence linked to ethnic tensions and resource competition.
According to the United Nations, nearly 3,000 individuals have died in Goma, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following its takeover by rebel forces amid intense combat with the Congolese military. Vivian van de Perre, deputy head of the UN mission, reported that 2,000 bodies have been found on the streets, while an additional 900 remain in local morgues, leading to concerns of further casualties.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel coalition including the M23 armed group, declared a ceasefire on Tuesday, attributing it to the humanitarian crisis caused by the DRC’s government. However, this was dismissed by the government as false, with ongoing clashes reported in South Kivu province, indicating that the ceasefire may not hold.
Decades of violence in the DRC stem from ethnic conflicts and competition over land and natural resources, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. The international community, including the United States and UN experts, accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 group, composed largely of ethnic Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army.
M23 has resumed its rebellion against the government, gaining territory in North Kivu, a region rich in minerals like coltan essential for electronics. Van de Perre reported ongoing hostilities near Bukavu, which lies just 50 kilometers from the advancing rebel forces, intensifying the already fragile situation.
The AFC reassured that it does not intend to seize Bukavu, aiming instead to protect civilians. Nevertheless, the rebel coalition has expanded its territorial control in the eastern DRC, with plans to advance toward Kinshasa, located approximately 930 miles from Goma, amidst further territorial ambitions.
AFC spokesperson Victor Tesongo indicated intentions to establish a new administration in Goma and suggested an advance into South Kivu and toward Kinshasa. M23 leader Corneille Nangaa affirmed their commitment to moving from Goma to Bukavu and beyond, emphasizing their resolve to maintain control in Goma.
As the conflict escalates, the DRC government acknowledges the situation’s volatility, with Goma being under rebel control. Van de Perre expressed concerns over the humanitarian implications, noting that nearly 2,000 civilians have sought refuge at UN peacekeeping bases in the city, highlighting the dire human suffering resulting from the violence.
The recent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern region surrounding Goma, showcases the ongoing struggles fueled by ethnic divisions and control over lucrative natural resources. The M23 rebellion, which has roots over a decade ago, has resurfaced, prompting severe humanitarian repercussions. The involvement of neighboring Rwanda raises questions about external influences in the ongoing violence and instability in the DRC.
In summary, the catastrophic situation in Goma has resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities due to ongoing rebel incursions, with the UN highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis. Despite a declared ceasefire by the rebels, fighting persists, exacerbating the plight of civilians. The DRC continues to grapple with profound instability driven by ethnic conflict and resource competition, necessitating immediate international attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
