M23 rebels claim to have captured Goma, leading to international condemnation by the UN Security Council. Kenya has organized a summit with DRC and Rwanda to discuss the escalating crisis. Fighting has resulted in casualties among international peacekeepers, with significant humanitarian concerns as thousands flee the conflict.
In a significant escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), M23 rebels have declared the capture of the critical city of Goma. This claim follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the militants to the Congolese army to disarm and surrender. The situation remains tense as gunfire and explosions are reported in the area, causing panic among residents.
The United Nations Security Council has condemned what it describes as a ‘flagrant disregard’ for DRC’s sovereignty, urging M23 to cease their offensive and accusing external forces of exacerbating the conflict. Additionally, the Council has expressed concern over GPS jamming activities that support M23 operations in North Kivu.
Amidst these developments, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that Rwanda and DRC have agreed to convene an extraordinary summit to discuss the ongoing crisis in eastern Congo, scheduled in the next forty-eight hours. This summit aims to seek a resolution and stabilize the situation exacerbated by recent violence and rebel advances.
Reports indicate that Rwandan troops have reinforced the M23 rebels, prompting DRC’s government to accuse Rwanda of a ‘declaration of war’ due to the observed troop movements across their shared border. The DRC’s foreign minister called for the imposition of targeted sanctions on Rwandan officials during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
In response to the escalating violence, Goma’s international airport has been evacuated, and commercial flights are grounded, hampering evacuation efforts. The UN has warned their staff to refrain from traveling to the area, citing blocked roads and a complete closure of airspace above Goma as fighting continues to intensify.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties among international peacekeepers, with reports confirming the deaths of at least three UN personnel alongside soldiers from South Africa and Malawi. The situation raises urgent concerns about the humanitarian impact and the well-being of the displaced civilian population due to the offensive by the M23 rebels.
The ongoing conflict involving M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been marked by rising tensions between various armed groups and state forces. The DRC, rich in resources, has experienced decades of instability and violence, often exacerbated by the involvement of foreign nations like Rwanda. The M23 movement, primarily consisting of ethnic Tutsis, originated from discontent within the Congolese military and has been implicated in various human rights violations. The recent offensive towards Goma further complicates the fragile security landscape in the region, prompting international concern and calls for diplomatic intervention.
The situation in eastern DRC remains critical as M23 rebels claim control over Goma, prompting international condemnation and calls for de-escalation from the UN. The upcoming summit led by Kenya seeks to address these challenges amid allegations of foreign military involvement exacerbating the conflict. With thousands displaced and international peacekeepers suffering casualties, the urgency for a peaceful resolution cannot be overstated.
Original Source: www.dw.com
