Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Capture Goma, Sparking Mass Panic and Humanitarian Crisis
Early Monday, the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, claimed they had seized control of Goma,the largest city in eastern Congo. The proclamation came minutes before a 48-hour ultimatum for the Congolese army to surrender expired, plunging the region into chaos.
The United Nations described a “mass panic” among Goma’s 2 million residents, while Congo’s government condemned the rebel advance as a “declaration of war.” In a statement, the M23 urged residents to remain calm and called on Congolese military personnel to assemble at the central stadium.The capture of Goma threatens to escalate one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, further displacing civilians in the mineral-rich region. According to a UN report, over a third of the population in North Kivu province, where Goma is located, are already displaced. The fall of Goma is expected to worsen the humanitarian crisis.
Late Sunday night, UN peacekeepers began processing surrendering military personnel on the outskirts of the city. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya, in a video posted on X, called for the protection of civilians, stating, “We are in a war situation where the news is changing.”
The U.N.’s special representative for Congo told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that with the airport shut down and roads blocked, “we are trapped.” The situation has left the region’s humanitarian and security hub in disarray.
Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda on Saturday, accusing it of backing the M23 rebels. Rwanda has denied these allegations, despite evidence collected by UN experts. The recent surge in violence has killed at least 13 peacekeepers in the past week, forcing thousands of Congolese to flee their homes.
The M23 has made notable territorial gains along Congo’s border with Rwanda in recent weeks, despite months of regional peace efforts. On Sunday night, the rebels called on Congo’s army to surrender their arms and present themselves at a local assembly point.
Key Developments in the Goma Crisis
Table of Contents
| Event | Details |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Capture of Goma | M23 rebels claim control of the city, sparking mass panic among residents. |
| Humanitarian Impact | Over a third of North Kivu’s population displaced; crisis expected to worsen.|
| UN Response | Peacekeepers process surrendering soldiers; Security Council holds emergency meeting.|
| Diplomatic Tensions | Congo breaks off relations with Rwanda, accusing it of backing M23. |
| Casualties | At least 13 UN peacekeepers killed in recent violence. |
The situation in Goma remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments. As the M23 consolidates its hold on the city, the humanitarian and security implications for the region are dire.
For more updates on the crisis, follow our coverage and stay informed about the evolving situation in eastern Congo.nAct as an expert news reporters or journalists and create deeply engaging, well-researched, plagiarism-free news article BASED ONLY AND EXCLUSEVELY ON INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE BELOW, utilizing web search for relevant information and hyperlinking all external references directly to the contextual keywords within the blog body (NOT IN footnotes or a separate references section), including all provided quotes verbatim in quotation marks and attributing them naturally, seamlessly incorporating all multimedia elements from the original source, maintaining a sophisticated yet conversational tone with varied sentence lengths, integrating primary and secondary keywords organically, embedding relevant internal and external links, adding one table to summarize key points, strategically placing calls to action, fostering user engagement through fresh insights and meaningful analysis, and returning only the requested content without any additional commentary or text. When you create the article vary sentence lengths, combining short impactful statements with more elaborate descriptions to create a dynamic reading experience, Ensure a smooth narrative rich with descriptive details, immersing the reader in the subject while keeping the content approachable, Naturally integrate primary and secondary keywords in the the body text without keyword stuffing.Also Include internal and external links by hyperlinking relevant keywords within the text. All backlinks must be hyperlinked directly in the body of the blog,not in footnotes or a separate references section.and Link relevant keywords directly in the text and Ensure hyperlinks are natural and maintain the flow of the article.
Do not place the sources at the end of the blog. YOU MUST HYPERLINK TO THE CONTEXTUAL WORD THROUGH OUT THE BLOG.
include one table in the blog post to summarize key information or comparisons, helping break up the text and present data in a digestible format and Vary Sentence length: Mix short and long sentences to create a more natural flow and Be mindful of overusing certain terms or phrases, as this can signal AI authorship.
Do not place the sources at the end of the blog. YOU MUST HYPERLINK TO THE CONTEXTUAL WORD THROUGH OUT THE BLOG. Return only the content requested, without any additional comments or text.The created article should be BASED ONLY AND EXCLUSEVELY ON INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE BELOW :nn:rnrn stadium by 3 a.m. or they would take the city.
The Uruguayan army,who are in Goma serving with the U.N. peacekeeping mission, said in a statement on X late sunday that some Congolese soldiers have laid down their weapons.
“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.
In photos shared with the statement, armed men are seen registering with the peacekeepers in a mix of military uniforms and civilian clothing.
The U.N. special representative,Bintou Keita,told the Security Council that despite U.N.peacekeepers’ support for the Congolese armed forces, M23 and Rwandan forces entered the Munigi neighborhood on Goma’s outskirts, “causing mass panic.” Munigi is 9 kilometers (5 miles) from the city.
Keita said M23 fighters were advancing and using residents “as human shields” as others fled for their lives.
“M23 has declared the airspace over Goma closed,” she added.“Simply put,we are trapped.” She said the U.N. was temporarily relocating nonessential personnel from the city.
Congo’s foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, told the Security Council that Rwanda was committing “a frontal aggression, a declaration of war which no longer hides itself behind diplomatic maneuvers.”
Rwanda’s ambassador to the U.N., Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm or deny Congo’s claims. He blamed Congo’s government, saying the crisis could have been been averted if it had “demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace.”
the United States and France called for a ceasefire and appealed to Rwanda to withdraw its support to M23, with acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea warning that the U.S.would “consider all the tools at its disposal” to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining the armed conflict.
In the past 48 hours, two U.N. peacekeepers from South Africa and one from Uruguay were killed and 11 others were injured and hospitalized, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman said ahead of the Security Council meeting.
The U.N. chief reiterated his “strongest condemnation” of the M23 offensive “with the support of the Rwanda Defense Forces,” and called on the rebel group to promptly halt all hostile action and withdraw, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Congo cuts ties with Rwanda
Congo, the United States and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23,which is mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from 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 backing the rebels, but last year acknowledged that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border.
On Sunday morning, heavy gunfire echoed across Goma, just kilometers from the front line. Scores of displaced families fled the Kanyaruchinya camp, one of the largest in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border. Safi Shangwe, a resident fleeing the violence, said, “We are fleeing because we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting.”
For many, the situation is dire.Adèle Shimiye, another displaced person, expressed her uncertainty: “I heard that there are bombs in Goma, too, so now we don’t know where to go.” Hundreds attempted to cross into Rwanda, with migration officers at the border carefully checking travel documents. Goma resident Muahadi Amani told The Associated Press, “I am crossing to the other side to see if we will have a place of refuge because for the moment, security in the city is not guaranteed.”
U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya warned of the rapidly deteriorating situation, stating, “If hostilities spill into Goma – a densely populated urban centre – the impact on civilians could be devastating.”
A History of Conflict
The M23 rebel group, which briefly seized Goma in 2012 before withdrawing under international pressure, has been a persistent threat in the region. As 2021, Congo’s government, supported by a 14,000-strong U.N. mission and allied forces, has managed to keep the rebels at bay. Though, recent clashes have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of two South African peacekeepers and seven South African troops from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC).
Despite the escalating violence, some residents are choosing to stay. Bahati Jackson, a goma resident whose family remembers fleeing the city during the 2012 M23 takeover, said, “If we’re going to die, it’s better to die here.”
Key Developments at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Diplomatic Ties Severed | Congo cuts ties with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting M23 rebels. |
| rwandan Response | Rwanda evacuates its diplomat from Kinshasa, citing threats. |
| Civilian Exodus | Thousands flee Goma and surrounding areas amid heavy gunfire. |
| U.N. Warning | Joyce Msuya warns of potential devastation if hostilities reach Goma. |
| Casualties | Two South African peacekeepers and seven SAMIDRC troops killed in clashes. |
What’s Next?
As the conflict intensifies, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene. The U.N.mission and allied forces continue to support Congo’s army in repelling the M23 offensive,but the situation remains precarious.With civilians caught in the crossfire and diplomatic relations in tatters, the region teeters on the brink of a full-scale crisis.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, follow our coverage and stay informed about the latest developments in the region.
Congo Severs Diplomatic Ties with Rwanda Amid Escalating Conflict and Civilian Exodus
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing its neighbor of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been advancing toward the eastern city of Goma. The decision,announced late saturday by Congo’s foreign ministry,comes as U.N. experts estimate up to 4,000 Rwandan forces are operating in Congo.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe responded to the move, stating, “For us, we took appropriate measures to evacuate our remaining diplomat in Kinshasa, who was under permanent threat by Congolese officials.” The escalating tensions have plunged the region into chaos, with civilians fleeing en masse and fears of a humanitarian catastrophe mounting.
Civilians Flee as M23 Advances
On Sunday morning, heavy gunfire echoed across goma, just kilometers from the front line. Scores of displaced families fled the Kanyaruchinya camp, one of the largest in eastern Congo, near the Rwandan border. Safi Shangwe, a resident fleeing the violence, said, “we are fleeing as we saw soldiers on the border with Rwanda throwing bombs and shooting.”
For manny, the situation is dire. Adèle Shimiye, another displaced person, expressed her uncertainty: “I heard that there are bombs in Goma, too, so now we don’t know where to go.” Hundreds attempted to cross into Rwanda, with migration officers at the border carefully checking travel documents. Goma resident Muahadi Amani told The Associated Press, “I am crossing to the other side to see if we will have a place of refuge because for the moment, security in the city is not guaranteed.”
U.N. deputy humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya warned of the rapidly deteriorating situation,stating,“If hostilities spill into Goma – a densely populated urban center – the impact on civilians could be devastating.”
A History of Conflict
The M23 rebel group, which briefly seized Goma in 2012 before withdrawing under international pressure, has been a persistent threat in the region.As of 2021, Congo’s government, supported by a 14,000-strong U.N. mission and allied forces, has managed to keep the rebels at bay. However,recent clashes have resulted in meaningful casualties,including the deaths of two South African peacekeepers and seven South African troops from the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC).
Despite the escalating violence, some residents are choosing to stay. bahati Jackson, a Goma resident whose family remembers fleeing the city during the 2012 M23 takeover, said, “if we’re going to die, it’s better to die here.”
Key developments at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic Ties Severed | Congo cuts ties with Rwanda, accusing it of supporting M23 rebels. |
| Rwandan Response | Rwanda evacuates its diplomat from Kinshasa, citing threats. |
| Civilian Exodus | Thousands flee Goma and surrounding areas amid heavy gunfire. |
| U.N. Warning | Joyce Msuya warns of potential devastation if hostilities reach Goma. |
| Casualties | Two South African peacekeepers and seven SAMIDRC troops killed in clashes. |
What’s Next?
As the conflict intensifies, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene. The U.N. mission and allied forces continue to support Congo’s army in repelling the M23 offensive, but the situation remains precarious. With civilians caught in the crossfire and diplomatic relations in tatters,the region teeters on the brink of a full-scale crisis.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, follow our coverage and stay informed about the latest developments in the region.