Rebels backed by Rwanda have dramatically escalated their hold over eastern Congo, seizing control of towns and the key city of Goma as tensions swell within the region. The M23 group has reportedly moved toward South Kivu province, placing substantial parts of eastern Congo under their influence.
After the capture of Goma, citizens are fleeing the city with many escaping either north toward the interior of Congo or crossing the border to Rwanda, where they receive aid from organizations like the Rwandan Red Cross. "The fighting could spread ... recalling the horrors of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when millions died," warns the Crisis Group, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Willy Ngoma, the spokesperson for M23, assured the people of Goma, saying, "Let the people of Goma be calm, peace is here," though his position raises questions due to his inclusion on the U.N. Security Council’s sanctions list for crimes allegedly committed against civilians. Meanwhile, many Congolese soldiers appear to be laying down their arms, with claims of nearly 300 mercenaries returning home amid what some describe as chaotic disarray within the Congolese army.
The troubles of Goma are not new, rooted deeply within centuries of ethnic strife, particularly involving Hutus and Tutsis tracing back to Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Those ethnic tensions have transformed the conflict over territorial control of mineral-rich lands, with analysts asserting there's much more at play than simply local affairs.
On the political front, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has been largely absent, reportedly engaging with leaders from Angola, who mediated previous ceasefires. President Tshisekedi has called upon young people to enlist and bolster the national military effort against M23. His remarks may resonate with public fears—the collapse of order reminiscent of past calamities.
Compounding this situation, the U.N. is initiating protective measures for both civilians and staff amid fears of law enforcement breakdown as the M23 rebels eye more territory. The international community’s role remains pivotal with calls from various African leaders, including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, insisting, "The territorial integrity of Congo must be respected."
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has also publicly discussed the situation with U.S. officials, seeking solutions to the roots of the conflict. Recent reports indicate the presence of around 4,000 Rwandan troops within Congo, sparking criticism of foreign military influence complicity within these dire circumstances.
Flights to Kinshasa were canceled by Kenya Airways following unrest, including instances of looting directed at foreign embassies, heightening the overall impact of instability across the region. Goma's airport is now under M23 control as clashes continue throughout various neighborhoods, spiraling the city back to conditions reminiscent of its past struggles.
The people of Goma, forced to endure yet again the unpredictability of war, continue watching their city descend back under rebellion—a stark reminder of how history tends to repeat itself, often with devastating consequences.