Several African countries are facing poverty and challenges, yet global superpowers are keen to exploit their weaknesses and resources. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation in Goma, the largest city in the east, has taken a dangerous turn. On Monday (January 27), Rwanda-backed rebels claimed to have seized control of the city. According to an Al Jazeera report, the ongoing violent conflict in eastern DRC took a significant turn this week when M23 fighters, backed by Kigali, claimed control of Goma in North Kivu province. They have since moved southward, heading towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Rwanda-backed rebels are advancing toward Bukavu, a important city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, vowing to push forward with their rapid offensive until they reach the national capital.
According to Al Jazeera, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, stated that,”The World Health Organization and its partners conducted an assessment with the government” between Sunday and Thursday. He added that while the death toll is expected to rise, “700 people have been killed and 2,800 people injured” as of now. With approximately 2 million residents in the city, this occupation is set to intensify the ongoing conflict in the region. It is expected to further aggravate the already dire humanitarian crisis in the area.
Goma is of great strategic significance due to its vast, untapped mineral wealth worth billions of dollars. Reports indicate that following the rebel takeover of Goma, thousands have fled their homes, with over a million people displaced from the city. Hospitals are overcrowded, and the daily toll of injuries continues to rise due to the ongoing conflict. On-the-ground reports highlight that many civilians are trapped in the crossfire, heightening concerns over a rising death toll.
As tensions escalate, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen, putting countless lives at even greater risk. Following the rebel takeover of Goma, thousands of residents have been forced to flee, with over a million already displaced. Hospitals are struggling to cope as the daily influx of wounded civilians grows.
M23, a rebel group largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, has been fighting for control in eastern Congo, a region scarred by violence for decades. The Tutsi people were excluded from the Congolese army, prompting them to attempt a government overthrow in 2012—an effort that ultimately failed. The group remained inactive for several years but re-emerged in 2022, once again fueling instability.
Eastern Congo has long been a battleground. Between 1996 and 2003, the region witnessed one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history, often referred to as the “African World War.” Rebel groups fought over control of its vast natural resources—rich in copper, cobalt, lithium, and gold—leading to widespread bloodshed. By the time the war ended, more than six million lives had been lost, leaving behind a legacy of suffering and unresolved tensions.
The brutality of this conflict can be understood by looking at the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Congo’s neighboring country. During that time, Hutu militia groups massacred between 5 to 10 lakh (500,000 to 1 million) ethnic Tutsis, along with moderate Hutus and indigenous Twa people.
In response, as tensions escalated, Hutu militias launched counter-attacks. Fearing retaliation, over 20 lakh (2 million) Hutus fled Rwanda and took refuge in Congo.
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