The M23 rebels have overtaken the city of Goma, leaving its residents facing escalating violence and limited escape routes. Amidst the chaos, healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with casualties. The local population expresses frustration with the UN peacekeeping force and fears for their safety as they confront another chapter in a decades-long conflict.
M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have initiated attacks on Goma, leaving residents with no safe options as the city is besieged. Bombs have been falling continually nearby, forcing thousands to flee from camps outside of Goma and towards the city, resulting in a perilous situation. M23 has declared the capture of Goma, intensifying fears among the local population already suffering from years of conflict in eastern Congo.
On a recent Monday morning, M23 rebels claimed victory over Goma. The ongoing conflict, which has seen Rwandan-backed rebels face off against the Congolese armed forces and local armed groups, has its roots in decades of turmoil, prompting some observers to name it Africa’s World War. Videos circulating from terrified Goma residents portrayed the rebels advancing into the city under the guise of a ‘liberation’.
The Congolese military response has been mixed, with reports of some officers abandoning vehicles while others engage in combat. Hospitals throughout the area are overwhelmed with patients, equipped only with improvised tent facilities due to the influx of wounded individuals. Civilians are caught in the crossfire, facing dire circumstances that leave them with little hope.
Asifiwe Iragi Rugesha highlighted the plight of displaced families, struggling to find safety amidst the chaos. Despite the dire threat posed by M23, Ms. Rugesha emphasized the absence of alternatives: “There is nothing else to do. If M23 comes to Goma, we will die.” The airport closure has further restricted escape options for those trying to flee the escalating violence.
Public sentiment in Goma is growing more hostile towards MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping force, with residents feeling abandoned. Patrick Amani, a local taxi driver, accused the organization of betraying the Congolese people. Many individuals, such as displaced mother Sifa Kigugo, feel lost and helpless, clinging onto their newborns without a clear direction for their survival. Gunfire has become a new normal as the area descends further into chaos, intensifying anxieties among those seeking refuge.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has escalated in recent weeks as M23 rebels, with support from Rwanda, have intensified their attacks against the Congolese military and various local factions. The situation has forced thousands of civilians to flee into Goma, a city now under siege. The history of this conflict has seen generations of suffering, with the region often referred to as Africa’s World War due to the extensive involvement of multiple nations and groups.
In summary, the unfolding crisis in Goma represents a continuation of the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo, exacerbated by the advancement of M23 rebels. The desperate conditions for displaced families and wounds from the ongoing violence paint a grim picture. Anger and frustration towards peacekeeping forces have surged as citizens seek safety, highlighting the urgency for resolutions to this prolonged crisis.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
