M23 Rebels Advance South in DRC After Seizing Goma Amid Heavy Fighting Rebel Forces Push Towards Kumo After Capturing Goma
The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has advanced south towards the city of Kumo after seizing Goma, the largest city in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The United Nations (UN) reported that the recent escalation in violence has resulted in at least 700 deaths and 2,800 injuries in less than a week.
Kumo, the next strategic target, holds a military airfield, prompting the Congolese army to establish a defensive line 40 km north of South Kivu’s capital, Bukavu. Meanwhile, a new military governor for North Kivu has been sworn in in Beni, which has now been declared the new provincial capital following the fall of Goma.
Regional Leaders React to Crisis
With the situation worsening, Southern African leaders have pledged unwavering support for the DRC. The regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has called for urgent crisis talks in Zimbabwe, where leaders from Eastern and Southern African nations will discuss possible intervention strategies to counter the M23 rebel advances.
The UN continues to monitor the situation, stating that while water and electricity have been restored in Goma, the city remains tense and volatile, with ongoing clashes.
Human Rights Violations and Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has led to a sharp rise in human rights violations, including:
- The bombing of camps sheltering displaced civilians
- Reports of gang rape and other sexual violence by Congolese troops
The humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC has worsened, with thousands displaced and essential resources becoming scarce. Unexploded ordnance left in war zones remains a serious threat to civilians and movement in affected areas.
Protests in Goma as Some Locals Support M23
Despite the destruction, hundreds of people gathered in Goma for an anti-government rally, expressing support for the M23 rebels and demanding peace. Some protestors claim that:
- M23 fighters have provided them with security, unlike government forces.
- They want M23 to help them return home safely after being displaced by previous fighting.
“We ask for peace from the M23. Their allies have come here to help us. They are not thieves like those who were here before. We fled our villages with nothing, and now we have nothing. We need help,” said a protestor in Goma.
What’s Next?
As M23 rebels push further south, the international community remains divided over how to respond. While regional leaders prepare for crisis talks, the possibility of increased military intervention remains on the table. However, with ongoing violence, displacement, and rights abuses, peace in the eastern DRC remains uncertain.
What's Your Reaction?
