TRANSCRIPT
Hundreds of people are fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo into Rwanda, as heavy gunfire echoes across the city of Goma, near the frontlines of intense fighting with rebel troops.
The M23 rebel group, which is largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, has been advancing and seizing territory near the Rwandan border.
This has caused significant unrest and fear among the residents of Goma, a city of two million people.
Among those displaced by the fighting is Muahadi Amani.
“We are at the border with Rwanda, and I’m crossing to find a safe place because there is no security in Goma. ... “We're especially afraid for our children because if the situation ever gets worse, it will be difficult for them, so we want to spare them.”
The situation escalated after Congo cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing it of backing the M23 rebel group.
The Congolese army, along with United Nations and regional forces, has been battling to hold back the rebels.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi held an urgent meeting with government officials and military leaders on Friday.
According to Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise, General Sylvain Ekenge, the army’s spokesman, confirmed that President Tshisekedi has ordered the military to push the rebels far from Goma.
“Friday, January 24th, the head of state Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, supreme commander of the armed forces of the DRC and of the national police, presided, at the African Union City, a meeting of the superior council on the enlarged defence strategy. During this meeting, the President gave firm instructions that the rebel forces be tracked down to their last strongholds and be pushed far away from Goma, indicated the General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson of the army, who also regrettably announced the death of the military governor of North-Kivu, Cirimwami Nkuba Peter.”
In recent days, clashes claimed the lives of at least 13 international peacekeepers and soldiers, including South African and Malawian troops.
Clashes have also resulted in the deaths of several civilians, leaving hundreds wounded.
The conflict has drawn international attention.
The UN has raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions.
At an emergency Security Council meeting, top officials detailed the gravity of the situation.
Bintou Keita is Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, also known as MONUSCO.
“Today, despite ongoing municipal support to FRDC, M23 and Rwandan forces penetrated Munigi quarter in the outskirts of Goma city, causing mass panic and fright among the population. Roads are blocked and the airport can no longer be used for evacuation or humanitarian efforts. M23 has declared the airspace over Goma closed. In other words, we are trapped. I call on this council to act now to secure the civilian population, humanitarian aid workers and all United Nations personnel.”
The UN also reiterated its commitment to supporting Congolese sovereignty, with Jean-Pierre LaCroix calling for a firm response to the rebel advance.
Mr LaCroix is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
“At this critical juncture with the lives of countless vulnerable civilians, peacekeepers and the respect of this council’s mandate at stake, MONUSCO remains committed to the robust defense of its mandate, under very challenging conditions. The council must honour the sacrifices made by the peacekeepers who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this noble goal by sending a clear and unequivocal message to the M23 and its backers that actions endangering the lives of civilians and UN peacekeepers will not be tolerated.”
France has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to address the worsening situation.
France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas De Riviere has pledged his country's support for the DRC.
“Faced with the rapid deterioration of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, France called on Wednesday for an emergency meeting of the Security Council. The last developments in North Kivu, the advance of M23 troops and imminent threats against Goma are extremely concerning. France reaffirms its unwavering support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of DRC. We strongly condemn the ongoing offensive led by the M23 with the active support of Rwanda. This offensive is causing major risks for civilians and must be stopped immediately.”
The M23 rebel group, accused by the Congolese government and UN experts of receiving support from Rwanda, has made significant territorial gains this month.
The fighting has already displaced thousands and led to the deaths of at least three UN peacekeepers, including two South Africans and one Uruguayan.
South Africa's President William Ruto has expressed his concern over the escalation in violence as fears are mounting that the violence could escalate into a broader regional conflict.
“The escalating conflict and deteriorating situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are a grave concern to the people and governments of East Africa. Noting the worsening humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma, I call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.”
Since 2021, UN and regional forces have worked to prevent M23 from taking Goma, but the group has been advancing in the mineral-rich yet conflict-ridden region.
