M23 rebels continue their offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, capturing the town of Sake and pushing closer to Goma, a city of 2 million people and a regional hub. The escalating conflict has displaced tens of thousands and raised fears of a wider regional war.
Panic has gripped eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's ( DRC ) main city as M23 rebels steadily advance towards Goma , seizing a nearby town in their ongoing battle with the Congolese army. Bomb explosions rattled the city's outskirts on Thursday, prompting hundreds of wounded civilians to seek refuge at the main hospital.
The rebel group's relentless offensive has seen them closing in on Goma, a city with a population of around 2 million and a vital regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts. On Thursday, the M23 rebels captured Sake, a town just 27 kilometers from Goma and one of the last major routes into the provincial capital still under government control, according to the UN chief. This victory adds to a string of recent successes for the M23, who have captured Minova, Katale, and Masisi in the weeks leading up to Sake's fall. The M23 is one of approximately 120 armed groups vying for control in eastern DRC, a region rich in mineral resources and plagued by a decades-long conflict. This conflict has displaced over 7 million people and created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka proclaimed, 'The people of Goma have suffered greatly, like other Congolese. M23 is on its way to liberate them, and they must prepare to welcome this liberation.' However, residents like 19-year-old Hassan Kambale express fear and uncertainty: 'We are constantly waiting for the bombs.'Kinshasa, the United States, and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the army over a decade ago. Rwanda denies these accusations but admitted last year to having troops and missile systems in eastern DRC, citing security concerns related to a buildup of DRC forces near the border. UN experts estimate that up to 4,000 Rwandan forces are present in eastern DRC. This situation has escalated tensions, with DRC's Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, stating that war with Rwanda is an 'option to consider.' The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the M23's offensive in the strongest terms, urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law. International agencies have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to exercise caution and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The US Embassy in Kinshasa warned of an increase in violence near Sake, while the United Kingdom advised British nationals in Goma to leave immediately. The influx of displaced people is overwhelming resources in Goma, with the CBCA Ndosho Hospital struggling to cope with the surge in casualties. Thousands have escaped the fighting by boat, fleeing across Lake Kivu to Goma, carrying their belongings and their fears.Mariam Nasibu, who fled Sake with her three children, recounted the harrowing experience of losing one of her children's legs to shelling. The UN peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, has a base in Goma but its response if the city falls remains unclear. The M23's occupation of Sake and their continued advance towards Goma pose a significant threat to the region's stability and the safety of millions of people.
DRC M23 Goma Rwanda Conflict Humanitarian Crisis Displaced People MONUSCO Sake
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