Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, was taken early on Monday by Rwanda-backed rebels as the UN described a widespread panic among its 2 million residents and the Congo’s government claimed the insurgent progress was a “declaration of battle.”
Moments before a 48-hour date that the party had set for the Congolese troops to sacrifice their weapons was over, the M23 rebels announced the city’s record in a statement. Gunfire was audible in the city early on Monday morning, according to two aid workers who were not authorized to speak to the media it.
The insurgents urged Goma residents to stay calm and for African military personnel to assemble at the stadium’s main square in a statement.
One of Africa’s longest wars is set to increase due to the M23 rebels ‘ unpleasant in the center of the mineral-rich area, which is expected to further displace civilians and further worsen the situation. More than a third of the population in the North Kivu province where Goma is located is now displaced, according to a UN report, and Goma’s capture will likely only make things worse.
On the outskirts of the city, UN troops began to practice military personnel who had begun to retreat later on Sunday nights.
In a video posted on X, Congolese government official Patrick Muyaya said the state is “in a combat condition where the news is changing” and called for the safety of citizens.
We are trapped, the UN’s exclusive agent for Congo said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later on Sunday, adding that with the aircraft shut down and routes blocked in the great country’s humanitarian and security gateway.
Rwanda, which has denied backing the M23 despite data collected by UN authorities and others, abruptly ended relations with Congo late on Saturday. At least 13 soldiers have been killed by the recent uprising. And Congolese were once more fugitives.
In a speech released later on Sunday, the UN Security Council called for insurgents to leave the place they had claimed.
After weeks of local efforts to achieve peace failed, the M23 has recently made important territorial gains along the Congo’s border with Rwanda. The rebels demanded on Sunday night that the army of the Congo sacrifice their weapons and show up at a nearby facility by 3 a.m. otherwise they would seize control of the city.
Some African soldiers have reportedly laid down their weapons, according to a statement from the Argentine army, who is stationed in Goma with the UN peacekeeping mission.
” More than a hundred FARDC soldiers are sheltered in the facilities of the” Siempre Presente “base awaiting the ( Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration ) process”, the statement said.
Armed males are seen registering with the soldiers in pictures shared with the statement, which mix defense garb and human attire.
The UN specific agent, Bintou Keita, told the Security Council that despite UN peacekeepers ‘ support for the African military forces, M23 and Rwandan forces entered the Munigi area on Goma’s outskirts,” causing bulk panic”. Munigi is 9 kilometers ( 5 miles ) from the city.
Keita claimed that M23 soldiers were moving forward and using locals” as individual shields” as others “flew for their lives.”
” M23 has declared the airport over Goma closed”, she added. ” In other words, we are trapped”. She claimed that the UN was partially removing nonessential workers from the area.
Congo’s foreign secretary, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, told the Security Council that Rwanda was committing” a front anger, a declaration of war which never more hides itself behind political maneuvers”.
Rwanda’s adviser to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm or deny Congo’s says. He attributed the Congo’s government’s failure to “demonstrate a real commitment to peacefulness,” claiming that the problems could have been avoided.
With acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea alert that the U.S. do” consider all the equipment at its removal” hold those responsible for sustaining the military conflict to account, the United States and France demanded a ceasefire and forbade Rwanda to remove its support for M23.
In the past 48 days, two UN troops from South Africa and one from Uruguay were killed and 11 people were injured and hospitalized, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ‘ spokeswoman said ahead of the Security Council meeting.
According to official Stephane Dujarric, the UN captain called on the insurgent team to immediately halt all hostile action and remove and reiterated his” strong criticism” of the M23 offensive” with the support of the Rwanda Defense Forces.”
Rwanda and Congo cut ties, according to the United States and UN experts, who accuse Rwanda of backing M23, which is primarily made up of ethnic Tutsis who left the Congolese army more than a decade ago. It’s one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region, where a long-running conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Rwanda’s government denies supporting the rebels, but it acknowledged last year that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to protect its security, citing a rise in Congolese forces close to the border. UN experts estimate up to 4, 000 Rwandan forces are in Congo.
Late on Saturday, the Congo’s foreign ministry announced that it would immediately sever diplomatic ties with Rwanda and remove all diplomatic staff from the country.
The decision to cut ties was a unilateral move by Congo, according to Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe on Sunday, according to the country’s foreign minister.
” For us, we took appropriate measures to evacuate our remaining diplomat in Kinshasa, who was under permanent threat by Congolese officials”, Nduhungirehe said.
The M23 seized Goma once before in 2012, pulling out after significant international pressure was exercied against Rwanda.
However, Congo experts fear that because their motives are different this time around, it may be harder to talk M23 down.
” Previously, they had clear demands to be integrated into ( Congo’s ) army and have greater participation in the political process. Their motivation for carrying out these assaults this time is rooted in their desire to control their own territory, particularly the North Kivu region, according to Darren Davids, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future, and he said if there is fighting in the city, it will endanger the city and cause serious injuries.
Civilians flee the rebel advance On Sunday morning, heavy gunfire resonated across Goma, a few kilometers ( miles ) from the front line. Near the Rwandan border, scores of children and adults escaped the largest camp for displaced people in eastern Congo, the Kanyaruchinya camp.
We are frightened because we witnessed Rwandan soldiers shooting and throwing bombs on the border, according to Safi Shangwe, who was entering the city.
Some of the displaced people were concerned that they would not be safe in Goma, either. ” I heard that there are bombs in Goma, too, so now we don’t know where to go”, said Adele Shimiye.
Hundreds of people made the attempt to flee Rwanda. Border crossing officers east of Goma carefully checked travel documents.
According to Goma resident Muahadi Amani,” I am going to the other side to see if we will find a place of refuge,”” I am looking forward to finding a place of refuge.”
Joyce Msuya, UN deputy humanitarian chief, claimed the state of the situation was rapidly deteriorating. The impact on civilians could be devastating, she said, “if hostilities spill into Goma, a densely populated urban center.”
The army of the Congo has claimed that the country was using allied forces, including UN peacekeepers and SAMIDRC soldiers, to stop the M23 offensive.
In addition to the two South African peacekeepers, seven South African troops with SAMIDIRC have been killed in recent days, South Africa’s defense ministry said.
Since 2021, Congo’s government and allied forces- including the 14, 000-strong UN mission- have been keeping M23 away from Goma.
Bahati Jackson, a Goma resident, has been audibly gunned down and recalls escaping M23’s 2012 seizing of the city. But this time, they’re staying.
” If we’re going to die, it’s better to die here”, Jackson said.
