Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured Goma, Congo, promising safety and administrative changes. While they aim to reassure residents, there is skepticism and ongoing conflict. The international community is monitoring the situation closely, as peacekeeping forces prepare for withdrawal amidst these developments.
On February 3, 2025, Rwanda-backed rebels known as M23 captured the city of Goma in eastern Congo, aiming to assure residents of their safety. In a rally held at a local stadium, M23 officials claimed that Goma was now secure under their governance, urging citizens to rest easy and indicating that schools would reopen soon while displaced individuals would return home. This demonstration is perceived as an effort to gain public support amidst rising international scrutiny concerning the group’s actions and backing from Rwandan troops.
Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of M23, addressed thousands in attendance, asserting that the city had been “liberated and sanitized” and that new administrative personnel had been installed. The presence of approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops bolsters the M23’s capabilities as it attempts to navigate the fractured political landscape, as the group engages in territorial and power plays reminiscent of events in 2012.
Despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire after their recent conquest, M23’s forces have expanded their reach by capturing additional strategic locations, which has generated fears of further conflict. The Congolese government has dismissed the M23’s ceasefire announcement, characterizing it as disingenuous and pointing to ongoing skirmishes within the region, highlighting the instability affecting Goma where humanitarian conditions are dire for displaced individuals.
Goma previously served as a humanitarian center, providing aid to displaced populations due to the ongoing conflict within the area. Local resident Emmanuel Kakule expressed skepticism regarding the M23’s assurances, conveying his concerns about safety. As the situation evolves, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera announced preparations to withdraw his country’s peacekeeping troops, which further complicates the peace process in the region.
In recent months, eastern Congo has witnessed escalating violence as various armed factions, including the M23 rebels, vie for control over strategically significant territories. The presence of Rwandan military support has exacerbated tensions, fueling widespread apprehension among local populations. Goma, a city critical to humanitarian efforts, faces humanitarian crises exacerbated by the new power dynamics. International responses continue to evolve as the humanitarian situation remains precarious with many people displaced by continuous conflict.
The situation in Goma, now under the control of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, remains tenuous. The rebellion’s efforts to proclaim stability are met with skepticism from the local population, highlighting fears of further violence amidst governmental dismissals of ceasefire claims. Additionally, regional peacekeepers’ impending withdrawals serve to complicate the fragile peace process, emphasizing the urgent need for meaningful negotiations to address the protracted conflict and humanitarian crises in eastern Congo.
Original Source: apnews.com
