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Rwandan-Backed Rebels Seize Control of Goma, Triggering Escalation in Eastern Congo

In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing conflict, Rwanda-backed rebels led by the M23 militia marched into Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, on Monday. The United Nations confirmed the involvement of Rwandan troops in the offensive, marking the most severe flare-up in the region in over a decade.

The rebel alliance, spearheaded by the Tutsi-led M23 group, claimed control of the city, a vital hub of over two million people and a center for displaced populations and humanitarian operations. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, declared that the city was under their control. However, conflicting reports have emerged, with Congolese officials asserting they still maintain control over parts of Goma.

Conflicting Reports and Heavy Fighting
Rural Development Minister Muhindo Nzangi stated that Congolese forces retained control over 80% of the city, while Rwandan troops were positioned on the outskirts. Other sources, including M23 and U.N. officials, suggested the rebels had seized up to 90% of Goma, with only pockets of resistance remaining.

The situation on the ground remains fluid, with reports of heavy artillery fire, explosions, and gunfire continuing throughout Monday. The M23 claimed to have seized key sites, including the offices of Congo’s national broadcaster, and reports from local residents noted the presence of soldiers in Rwandan army uniforms.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The offensive has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. An explosion at a displaced persons camp in Goma on Sunday marked the first civilian casualties in the fighting, while artillery strikes on a maternity hospital resulted in the deaths of civilians, including pregnant women and newborns. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people who had sought refuge in Goma now face further displacement amid the escalating conflict.

Save the Children and other aid organizations reported shelling in various neighborhoods, creating widespread fear and uncertainty. Greg Ramm, country director for Save the Children in Congo, described the situation as unpredictable, with moments of calm followed by renewed violence.

Regional and International Reactions
The U.N. has warned that the M23 offensive risks escalating into a broader regional conflict. On Monday, the Security Council convened for an emergency meeting, with a second session planned for Tuesday. Congo’s government has called for U.N. action, including targeted sanctions against Rwanda and a demand for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops.

Rwanda, for its part, accused Congo of threatening its security through cross-border shelling that killed five people and injured 26 in Rubavu. Artillery exchanges were reported between Congolese and Rwandan forces in the border region.

Kenya announced that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame had agreed to attend an online meeting on Wednesday to address the crisis.

Background and Context
The conflict traces its roots to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, which led to an influx of Hutu extremists and refugees into Congo, fueling decades of instability. The mineral-rich North Kivu province, where Goma is located, has long been a hotspot for rebel activity.

M23 first captured Goma in 2012 but withdrew following diplomatic intervention and the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force. Although the group agreed to disarm in 2013, it never fully demobilized and reignited its campaign in 2022, seizing large areas of North Kivu.

The group’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, has hinted at broader ambitions, stating that their ultimate objective is not limited to Goma but extends to overthrowing the Congolese government in Kinshasa, more than 1,500 kilometers west of Goma.

Looting and Lawlessness
Amid the chaos, reports of looting and lawlessness have emerged. Videos on social media showed residents raiding merchandise outside the airport customs warehouse, and thousands of inmates reportedly escaped from Goma’s main prison.

The escalating violence underscores the fragility of peace efforts in eastern Congo and raises concerns of a protracted humanitarian and security crisis in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and prevent further destabilization.

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