Rwanda-backed rebels tighten control over Goma as regional leaders meet
4 min readRwanda-backed rebels, primarily from the M23 group, have tightened their grip on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seizing large parts of Goma, the region’s largest city, including its airport. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that has plagued the region for decades. The United Nations confirmed that as of Wednesday morning, much of the city remained under the control of the rebels, despite some areas still being held by government forces. The takeover of Goma by the M23 comes after weeks of intense fighting, which has displaced thousands of people and caused widespread chaos.
Residents who spoke to the media on Tuesday reported that the rebels had taken control of most of Goma, leaving only small pockets of resistance from the Congolese military. The city, already suffering from instability, saw a sharp increase in violence, with bodies left on the streets and missiles flying overhead as civilians sought refuge. Thousands of displaced people fled the city once again, seeking safety on the roadsides as hospitals struggled to treat the growing number of casualties.
The M23 rebels, who claim to represent ethnic Tutsi interests, have long been active in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where numerous armed groups compete for control. Their latest offensive on Goma follows a pattern of instability in the region, and they have taken significant territory in recent weeks. This latest escalation has sparked fears of a broader collapse of law and order in the region, with experts warning of the dangers posed by the increasing availability of weapons and the worsening humanitarian crisis.
According to U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the M23 rebels captured Goma’s airport after fierce clashes with government forces, leading to concerns about the risks of further instability. The United Nations has expressed alarm over the potential breakdown of order in the city, as the rebels’ control over key infrastructure could further hinder any attempts to bring stability to the region. As government forces continue to clash with the rebels, the situation in Goma remains highly volatile, with little sign of an imminent resolution.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose government has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, called for a ceasefire and emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Kagame’s government denies any direct involvement with the M23, despite reports from U.N. experts who claim that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are operating in the DRC. Rwanda has accused the DRC of harboring Hutu rebels, including those responsible for the 1994 genocide, fueling the tensions between the two countries.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe also reiterated that President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC must engage in dialogue with the M23 rebels to resolve the conflict. According to Nduhungirehe, the only path to peace in the region is through talks with the rebel group, which has shown increasing defiance in recent years. The M23 has promised to establish an administration in Goma, aiming to restore normalcy and allow displaced people to return to their homes. However, this promise has been met with skepticism, given the group’s previous actions and the broader instability in the region.
The situation in Goma is a continuation of a long-standing conflict in the DRC’s eastern provinces, which are rich in minerals but plagued by armed groups vying for control. The M23’s rise to prominence in the region has further complicated the already fragile security situation. While the group briefly captured Goma in 2012, they withdrew after a few days, but analysts believe this time the situation is different. Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group, warned that securing a withdrawal from the M23 may prove more difficult now, as the group has gained more support from Rwanda and is emboldened by the DRC’s failure to meet the terms of previous peace agreements.
As the situation in Goma continues to deteriorate, regional leaders are faced with the challenge of finding a solution to the conflict that has engulfed the eastern DRC for so long. While calls for a ceasefire and peace talks continue, the path to a lasting resolution remains unclear. The M23’s control over key areas, including the airport and major parts of Goma, underscores the growing power of the rebels and the challenges faced by the DRC government in maintaining control over the region. With the humanitarian crisis deepening and tensions rising, the future of Goma—and the broader eastern DRC—remains uncertain.
Source: African News Agency
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