The city of Goma, now under the control of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, faces dire conditions as many residents emerge from hiding, only to find limited access to necessities such as water and food. The situation is exacerbated by the collapse of the Congolese military, leaving thousands in despair and on the brink of catastrophe.
### Goma in Turmoil After Rebel Control: A Deepening Crisis in the DRC
### Goma in Turmoil After Rebel Control: A Deepening Crisis in the DRC
Residents of Goma grapple with shortages and uncertainty as Rwanda-backed rebels take charge.
In the aftermath of a week-long battle, the M23 militia has secured nearly full control of Goma, a crucial urban center with a population of two million in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Local hospitals are inundated with casualties, and the city’s morgue is overflowing with the deceased, signifying the violent upheaval the city has undergone.
As civilians return from hiding, their primary concern is survival. The rebels have reportedly amassed hundreds of captured Congolese soldiers in the stadium area, many still wearing their uniforms. Frustration is palpable among the captives, not directed at their captors, but at President Felix Tshisekedi and military leaders for their abandonment.
Dissatisfaction runs high among the soldiers, who faced this crisis without promised reinforcements. As rebel forces closed in, government officials were caught fleeing across the lake, abandoning their troops. “Tshisekedi will pay for this,” declared one soldier, while another expressed a desire to take matters into their own hands.
The situation reflects not only the immediate humanitarian crisis but also the profound political turbulence in the region, raising concerns about the future ramifications of this takeover for both Goma and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As civilians return from hiding, their primary concern is survival. The rebels have reportedly amassed hundreds of captured Congolese soldiers in the stadium area, many still wearing their uniforms. Frustration is palpable among the captives, not directed at their captors, but at President Felix Tshisekedi and military leaders for their abandonment.
Dissatisfaction runs high among the soldiers, who faced this crisis without promised reinforcements. As rebel forces closed in, government officials were caught fleeing across the lake, abandoning their troops. “Tshisekedi will pay for this,” declared one soldier, while another expressed a desire to take matters into their own hands.
The situation reflects not only the immediate humanitarian crisis but also the profound political turbulence in the region, raising concerns about the future ramifications of this takeover for both Goma and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
