UN describes ‘great fear’ in Goma as pro-Rwanda rebels seek control of key Congolese city
Pro-Rwanda rebels said they captured eastern Congo’s main city, Goma, early Monday, as the United Nations described “tremendous fear” among its two million people and the Congolese government said the rebel attack was “a declaration of war.”
The M23 rebels announced the capture of the city in a statement minutes before a 48-hour deadline set by the group for Congolese troops to hand over their weapons.
In a statement, the rebels called on Goma residents to calm down and members of the Congolese army to gather at the central stadium.
An attack by M23 rebels in the heart of the mineral-rich region threatens to further escalate one of Africa’s longest wars and further displace civilians. According to a UN report, more than one-third of the people in North Kivu province where Goma is located remain homeless, and Goma’s capture may worsen the situation.
On Sunday night, UN peacekeepers began to process members of the army who had begun surrendering on the outskirts of the city.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya made a statement in a video posted on X saying that the civilians were protected and that the country is “in a state of war where things are changing.”
Late Sunday, the UN special representative for Congo told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that with the airport closed and roads closed for humanitarian and security purposes in the region, “we are trapped.”
Congo late Saturday severed ties with Rwanda, which has denied supporting M23 despite evidence gathered by UN experts and others. The escalation of violence has killed at least 13 peacekeepers in the past week. The Congolese fled again.
M23 has made significant gains in the Congo-Rwanda border region in recent weeks, after months of failed regional peace efforts. On Sunday night, the rebels asked Congolese soldiers to hand over their weapons and present themselves at their local stadium at 3am local time or else they would take over the city.
The Uruguayan army, which is in Goma working for the UN peacekeeping unit, said in a statement on Sunday night that some Congolese soldiers have laid down their arms.
“More than 100 FARDC soldiers are sheltered in the “Siempre Presente” base facilities awaiting the (Disarmament, Disarmament and Repatriation) process,” the statement said.
In the photos shared with this statement, armed men can be seen signing up with soldiers wearing military uniforms and civilian clothes.
The special representative of the UN, Bintou Keita, told the Security Council that despite the support of the UN troops the Congolese army, the M23 and the Rwandan army entered the area of ​​Munigi on the outskirts of Goma, “causing great fear.” Munigi is nine kilometers from the city.
Keita said M23 fighters were advancing using civilians as “human shields” as others fled for their lives.
“M23 has announced that the airspace over Goma is closed,” he added. “In other words, we’re trapped.” He said the UN is removing non-essential personnel from the city temporarily.
Congo’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, told the Security Council that Rwanda is committing “direct violence, a declaration of war no longer hidden behind official plans.”
Rwanda’s ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, did not confirm or deny what Congo said. He blamed the Congolese government, saying the crisis could have been avoided if it had “shown a real commitment to peace.”
The United States and France have called for a ceasefire and urged Rwanda to withdraw support for M23, with acting US ambassador Dorothy Shea warning that the US will “use all the tools at its disposal” to hold those involved in the armed conflict accountable. .
In the past 48 hours, two UN peacekeepers from South Africa and one from Uruguay have died and 11 others have been injured and hospitalized, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesman before the Security Council meeting.
Members of the Congolese community gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to condemn the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, while demanding that Canada intervene to bring peace to their country.
The UN official also “strongly condemns” the M23 attack “with the support of the Rwandan security forces,” and called on the rebel group to immediately stop all atrocities and withdraw, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Congo, the United States and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which is made up mostly of Tutsis who defected from the Congolese army more than a decade ago. It is one of about 100 armed groups fighting to gain access to the mineral-rich region, where long-running conflict has created the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis.
The Rwandan government denies backing the rebels, but last year admitted it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to protect its security, pointing to the build-up of Congolese troops near the border. UN experts estimate up to 4,000 Congolese Rwandan troops.
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