M23 rebels assert their control over Goma, prompting UN and regional leaders to respond with urgent calls for action. The UN Security Council condemns violations of DRC’s sovereignty while Kenya organizes a summit with DRC and Rwanda. Rising casualties among peacekeepers and civilians highlight the escalating crisis.
The M23 rebels have claimed to have captured the strategic city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response, the UN Security Council condemned this act, rigorously calling for an end to the offensive and urging external forces in the region to withdraw. Concurrently, Kenya announced that both DRC and Rwanda will attend a summit aimed at addressing the escalating crisis. Reports indicate that fighting has resulted in casualties among the soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay.
The UN condemned the continuous violations of DRC’s sovereignty due to the M23 rebels’ offensive. The Security Council expressed alarm over alleged GPS jamming supporting the M23 in North Kivu. In their most recent claim, the M23 rebels announced an ultimatum for Congolese forces to disarm before the guaranteed capture of Goma, urging civilians to remain calm. Due to ongoing violence, the situation remains unverified.
In a bid to ease tensions, Kenya’s President William Ruto announced an upcoming extraordinary summit with DRC President Etienne Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to discuss the precarious situation. With M23 fighters reported to have fortified their positions near Goma, the international community is closely monitoring developments as gunfire and explosions are increasingly heard within the city.
Accusations of incursion have also escalated, with DRC’s foreign minister labeling Rwanda’s troop presence as a “declaration of war.” Following this, a UN Security Council meeting was convened where targeted sanctions against Rwanda were urged. The arrival of hundreds of Rwandan troops has reportedly exacerbated tensions in the area.
As violence escalated, Goma’s international airport was evacuated, halting commercial flights due to the battlefield proximity. There have been reports of significant casualties among international peacekeepers attempting to support Congolese forces, while humanitarian organizations express deep concern regarding the conflict’s impact on civilians amid one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for Rwanda’s withdrawal of troops from DRC, condemning M23’s aggressive campaign toward Goma. The Secretary-General emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, denouncing Rwanda’s support for the rebel group. The ongoing conflict has already led to the deaths of multiple soldiers from peacekeeping missions, underscoring the need for timely international intervention to stabilize the region.
The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened as M23 rebels, backed by alleged Rwandan support, have intensified their offensive towards key areas such as Goma. The prolonged conflict has historically involved issues surrounding ethnic tensions and territorial integrity, with numerous international responses denouncing violations against sovereignty. The region’s instability continues to displace thousands, raising humanitarian concerns and international diplomatic interventions.
In summary, the claims of Goma’s capture by M23 rebels have intensified a precarious crisis in eastern DRC, drawing strong condemnations from the UN Security Council and urgent calls for dialogue among regional leaders. With escalating violence and mounting casualties among peacekeepers, there exists an immediate necessity for intervention to alleviate the humanitarian fallout and resolve the conflict swiftly.
Original Source: www.dw.com
