Fighting persists in eastern DRC between the M23 rebel group and the DRC army, with international concerns rising over humanitarian crises. Recent attacks have jeopardized supply routes to Goma, leading to thousands of displacements and significant casualties among peacekeepers. Calls for ceasing hostilities have come from international bodies as the situation continues to deteriorate dramatically.
Fighting between the rebel March 23 Movement (M23) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army persists in eastern DRC amid rising international apprehension. Clashes occurred in Masisi territory, close to Goma, where an estimated two million people reside, along with numerous international NGOs and UN offices. The M23 has explicitly threatened to capture Goma after a week of intensive confrontations with the DRC army and allied militias, referred to as “wazalendo,” or “patriots” in Swahili.
International peacekeeping efforts by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (Monusco) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aim to assist the DRC army in halting the M23’s progress. On January 21, the M23, assisted by Rwandan forces, seized Minova, a town located 40 kilometers from Goma, significantly disrupting supply routes to the city. According to Clémentine de Montjoye, a senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, “The horrific abuses by the M23, Wazalendo, and the Rwandan and Congolese armies should serve as a stark warning to concerned governments that they need to press the warring parties to protect civilians.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported over 300 injuries due to escalating conflict between the army and rebel groups throughout the week. Goma contends with severe humanitarian challenges, including a critical shortage of drinking water and electricity. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that approximately 400,000 individuals have been displaced in the last three weeks, compounding the already existing displacement crisis affecting over four million people in the region.
The conflict has also severely impacted peacekeeping forces. Reports indicate that nine South African soldiers serving under the SADC mission were killed, coupled with casualties among Malawian and Uruguayan troops involved in Monusco operations. Monusco announced it would temporarily relocate non-essential staff to safeguard personnel while maintaining essential UN operations.
The international community is voicing serious concerns regarding the unfolding crisis. The African Union Commission’s chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has advocated for an immediate ceasefire, urging global support for affected populations amid extensive collateral damage. The European Union expressed disapproval of the rebel group’s advancements, labeling them as “unacceptable” violations of the 2024 cease-fire and has urged Rwanda to cease its support for the M23.
Despite Rwandan authorities denying collaboration with the M23, UN investigations confirm their alliance. Conversely, both Rwanda and the M23 accuse the Congolese army of cooperating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Since November 2021, the M23 has resumed its violent activities, culminating in renewed offensives and territorial gains, positioning itself perilously close to Goma, previously occupied by the group in 2012. The region has been entrenched in conflict between armed rebel groups and the DRC army since 1998, amidst the ongoing presence of Monusco.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC reflects a complex history of violence involving rebel militias and governmental forces, primarily across the North Kivu province. Each escalation directly correlates with humanitarian crises, resulting in massive civilian displacement and dire living conditions. The international community’s concern heightens with each violent encounter, as local populations continue to suffer the consequences of prolonged instability. Historical grievances, characterized by past genocides and extrajudicial collaborations, are also fueling the present confrontations.
The escalating conflict in eastern DRC, particularly around Goma, demands immediate attention from the international community to protect civilians and address the humanitarian crisis. Efforts by local and international peacekeeping forces have proven insufficient against the M23’s advances. Urgent calls for ceasefire and collaboration among warring parties are essential to prevent further humanitarian disasters and civilian casualties in the region.
Original Source: efe.com
