.jpg "People of Goma woke up on Monday morning to the feeling of dread and insecurity in this largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC, amidst reports that it had been overrun by rebels from M23. Gunshots reverberated through the night, shattering any semblance of calm as the decades-long conflict in this mineral-rich region reached another boiling point.")
People of Goma woke up on Monday morning to the feeling of dread and insecurity in this largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC, amidst reports that it had been overrun by rebels from M23. Gunshots reverberated through the night, shattering any semblance of calm as the decades-long conflict in this mineral-rich region reached another boiling point.
Gunfire echoed across the city overnight, and by morning, dozens of men in military fatigues marched through the streets carrying weapons. Some residents lined the roadside, cheering the soldiers, although it was not clear if the uniformed men were members of the M23 rebel group. There was no official confirmation from the Congolese government that the city had fallen by Monday morning.
The M23 rebel group is widely accused of having staunch support from Rwanda, and it is considered one of almost 100 armed groups embattled in eastern Congo, seizing territory and resources in a decades-long conflict. But when the rebels briefly captured the main city of Goma in 2012, their resurgence late in 2021 with Rwandan support has further increased the violence. Both the government of Congo and United Nations experts have implicated Rwanda in aiding the insurgency by M23, accusations which Rwanda has repeatedly denied. ### A Region on the Brink
This latest escalation comes as North Kivu province grapples with one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Over six million people have been displaced because of conflict, with more than a third of North Kivu's population among the displaced, according to United Nations reports. Aid organizations warn further instability could deepen the crisis and push already-strained resources and humanitarian efforts to the brink.
In response to the developments, the U.N. Security Council issued a statement late Sunday condemning the M23's actions and called for an immediate withdrawal from Goma. "The members of the Security Council condemned the ongoing flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC … and that the M23 put an end to the establishment of parallel administrations in the DRC territory," the statement read.
Rebels' Bold Announcement
In a statement released early Monday, M23 rebels took responsibility for the city. This was in line with the ultimatum they had given Congolese security forces to surrender their weapons. The rebels summoned the Congolese military to meet at the main stadium of Goma and asked civilians to remain calm within the turmoil.
The government of Congo has responded to that with a declaration of war and accusations of direct Rwandan aggression. The DRC announced over the weekend that it has cut all diplomatic ties with Rwanda, which suggests how serious the situation is. Repeated attempts at diplomatic dialogue between the two nations have gone astray, so far, plunging the region into continued conflict and uncertainty.
International Concerns and Implications
The sudden escalation has attracted international interest, with analysts warning of the possible consequence for the entire Great Lakes region. With the resurgence of M23, along with strained relations between Congo and Rwanda, the threats of destabilizing neighboring countries facing their own particular challenges are high.
As the world continues to elbow its way closer to peace in the region, residents here continue to find themselves in the eye of a generational hurricane. For now, fear and gunfire and day-to-day uncertainty define life in eastern Congo.