Escalating Conflict in Eastern Congo: Goma Falls under M23 Control Amid International Outcry

Intense fighting has surged once again around the multimillion-dollar city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near the Rwandan border. Over the past few days, at least 13 soldiers from UN peacekeeping forces have tragically lost their lives in clashes with the M23, a rebel army alleged to be receiving military backing from Rwanda. Amid this violence, hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes, with many, like refugee Alice Feza, expressing despair: "We began to flee a long time ago, but now the war is catching up with us here among host families in Goma, and we have nowhere to go," she told the BBC.

As the fighting intensified, the UN Security Council was urgently convened on Sunday, where UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for Rwanda to cease its support for M23 and withdraw troops from the DRC. However, these calls went unheeded. M23 launched an offensive that night, with reports emerging of intense shelling around Goma's outskirts. Shortly past midnight, video evidence circulated on social media showing M23 soldiers entering the city center.

In the chaos, a group of European mercenaries, hired by the Congolese government through a Romanian company, surrendered their weapons. UN troops, along with colleagues from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reportedly did not take part in the final fighting. Impotent against the well-equipped rebels, Congolese soldiers were left with no choice but to hand over their arms to UN forces to prevent them from falling into rebel hands.

With Goma now under M23 control, humanitarian efforts face significant hurdles. International organizations, including the UN, have started evacuating non-essential personnel, and the delivery of aid has become increasingly difficult as the international airport in Goma has reportedly closed.

The M23 rebel group was originally formed in 2012, taking Goma that same year, strategically significant not only for humanitarian efforts but also for controlling the resource-rich North Kivu province. M23 retreated from Goma due to immense international pressure on Rwanda, which, according to numerous UN expert panels, has actively supported the movement. According to UN experts, Rwanda has maintained between 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers on Congolese soil as part of the M23 efforts.

The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has its roots in a historical backdrop of regional tensions, with Rwanda asserting that its military presence is necessary for securing its borders against smaller rebel factions operating from Congolese territory. However, extensive reporting has revealed that Rwanda often exploits its military engagement for the illicit extraction of Congo's vast natural resources, exacerbating tensions and fueling the ongoing strife in this volatile region.

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