In brief
Following the takeover of Goma by M23 rebels supported by Rwanda, residents are facing a humanitarian crisis characterized by scarcity of essential resources and widespread fear.
In the wake of intense fighting, Goma, a significant city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has fallen into the hands of the Rwandan-backed M23 militia. The city, previously home to around two million people, now faces immense distress as its populace searches for basic necessities like water and food. Local hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, while morgues fill up with the deceased amid the chaos.Witnesses report scenes outside Goma’s largest stadium where over a thousand captured Congolese soldiers were piled into truck beds, venting their anger not at the rebels but at their own government. The soldiers, many clad in their military uniforms, expressed a profound sense of betrayal towards President Felix Tshisekedi and military leaders who deserted them during the conflict. Footage shows Congolese commanders fleeing to safety across a lake as their troops were left to fend for themselves.This situation has sparked outrage among the abandoned soldiers, with one declaring, "Tshisekedi will pay for this,” and another vowing, “We’ll capture him with our own hands.” The soldiers involved had previously fought alongside local armed groups known as the Wazalendo, but reinforcements never arrived.As Goma residents reluctantly venture from their hiding places, the uncertainty looms large. The humanitarian emergency raises alarm for both the local and international communities, highlighting the pressing need for immediate assistance and conflict resolution in the region.
