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RWANDA & CONGO PRESIDENTS TO MEET AS M23 REBELS TAKE GOMA

RWANDA & CONGO PRESIDENTS TO MEET AS M23 REBELS TAKE GOMA
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Faith Nyasuguta 

Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Monday that Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi have agreed to meet on Wednesday to address the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. This development comes as the M23 rebel group claims to have seized control of Goma, a strategic city on the Congo-Rwanda border.

Speaking at a press briefing, President Ruto stressed the urgency of the situation. “Now more than ever, this is an existential issue, not just for the people of eastern DRC but for the entire region. The crisis in eastern Congo demands our collective focus,” he said.

Tensions Rise in Goma

The fall of Goma, home to around two million people, has heightened fears of violence and mass displacement. A journalist in the city reported ongoing clashes near the airport, with gunfire audible in the background. The call was abruptly cut off as the journalist sought shelter.

/US News/

For years, Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, allegations Kigali denies. On Monday, the Congolese government claimed that Rwandan troops are present in Goma, though Rwandan officials have yet to respond.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya urged residents to stay indoors and avoid looting. “We continue to work to prevent loss of life,” Muyaya stated in a post on X.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka confirmed the group’s control over Goma, stating it was achieved after intense clashes with Congolese forces.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

/The Guardian/

The conflict has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation in the region. The United Nations estimates that over 5.5 million people are displaced in Congo, with many in North Kivu province.

Mugunga camp, one of the largest for displaced persons near Goma, has seen an influx of new arrivals. A woman at the camp recounted her ordeal, saying, “We fled Sake last year due to fighting, and now we are running again. We have no food, no shelter, and no idea where to go.

Displaced residents in Mugunga are now taking refuge in schools, abandoned buildings, and open fields. “We want peace. We want to go back to our homes,” said Lomoo Biondo Manuel, another displaced person.

Violence Escalates

/NPR/

Fighting continues in Sake, a critical town west of Goma in North Kivu province, as M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) battle for control. Reports of intense clashes highlight the fluid and volatile situation.

The violence has also claimed high-profile victims. On Friday, Congo’s North Kivu Governor, Major General Peter Cirimwami, succumbed to injuries sustained during the conflict. Military spokesperson General Sylvain Ekenge confirmed the news, stating that efforts to transport the governor for advanced medical care were unsuccessful.

Regional and International Attention

The M23’s resurgence has placed regional actors under scrutiny. A recent United Nations report alleged direct involvement by Rwanda in M23’s operations, an accusation Kigali has repeatedly denied.

Kenyan President Ruto’s initiative to bring Kagame and Tshisekedi to the table highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation. The meeting aims to address the conflict’s root causes and find a pathway to peace.

/The Guardian/

With fighting showing no signs of abating and humanitarian needs mounting, the people of Goma and its surroundings are calling for immediate action. A displaced woman in Mugunga pleaded, “We urge the government to end this war so we can return to our homes.”

As the crisis unfolds, the spotlight remains on regional leaders and their ability to navigate the complex dynamics of the conflict, restore stability, and alleviate the suffering of millions caught in the crossfire.

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Faith Nyasuguta

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