Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured Goma, DRC’s largest city, causing mass panic among residents. The Congolese government views this as a declaration of war. UN peacekeepers began processing the surrender of Congolese soldiers as calls for a ceasefire escalate. The humanitarian situation worsens amid fears of further civilian displacement and ongoing violence.
On January 27, 2023, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels announced their capture of Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The United Nations labeled the situation a “mass panic” among the city’s 2 million residents. The DRC government characterized the rebel advance as a “declaration of war.”
The rebels had set a 48-hour ultimatum for the Congolese military to surrender their arms, urging civilians in Goma to remain calm. However, their offensive has the potential to escalate one of Africa’s protracted wars, increasing civilian displacement in an already volatile region. Currently, over a third of North Kivu province’s population is displaced, and the situation is likely to worsen with Goma’s fall.
On the night prior to the announcement, United Nations peacekeepers began accepting the surrender of some Congolese soldiers who were encircled on the city’s outskirts. Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, emphasized the need to protect civilians in light of the evolving “war situation.” The United States and France have called for a ceasefire and urged Rwanda to withdraw support for the M23.
The UN has reported that the humanitarian crisis has worsened, with armed assaults causing significant panic as M23 rebels advance, reportedly utilizing civilians as human shields. On January 29, acting UN officials stated that UN personnel were being evacuated from Goma due to deteriorating security conditions.
Congolese officials have accused Rwanda of direct aggression, claiming that their forces have intervened on behalf of M23. In contrast, Rwanda’s representative attributed the unrest to failures on the Congo government’s part, cautioning against escalating hostilities. As violence escalates, relations between Congo and Rwanda have deteriorated, with Congo severing diplomatic ties and recalling its diplomatic staff.
The situation in Goma remains dire as civilians flee in search of safety, exacerbated by ongoing gunfire and UN operational challenges. The UN deputy humanitarian chief warned that an escalation into urban Goma could be catastrophic, considering its dense population. The Congolese military insists it is working to repel the M23 despite losses among allied forces, including UN peacekeepers.
Thus far, international condemnation of the M23 advances has been stout, with calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a withdrawal from the contested areas. The deterioration of security in Goma underscores the fragile stability in the eastern DRC, already plagued by numerous armed groups vying for control over lucrative resources.
The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has persisted for decades, fueled by competition for mineral wealth and ethnic tensions. The M23 rebel group, composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, rose to prominence following a mutiny from the Congolese army over ten years ago. Regional dynamics, including Rwanda’s alleged involvement in backing these rebels, have complicated peace efforts and have often provoked international concern. The recent offensive against Goma points to escalating violence, which threatens to displace more civilians and destabilize the region further.
The events surrounding the M23 rebels’ advance on Goma represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the DRC. The situation has drawn international attention and condemnation, putting pressure on regional powers, particularly Rwanda, to reassess their involvement. As the humanitarian crisis expands, the fate of civilians hangs in the balance, and the urgency for diplomatic resolution grows more pressing.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
