At least 773 individuals lost their lives in Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, and its surrounding areas this week due to clashes with rebels backed by Rwanda. The rebels seized control of the city, escalating a conflict that has lasted for a decade. According to Congolese authorities, the rebels’ progress into other regions was hindered by a weakened military that managed to reclaim some villages from them.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya revealed that Goma’s morgues and hospitals housed 773 bodies and treated 2,880 wounded individuals. Muyaya cautioned that the death toll might be even higher, as the rebels instructed the population to clear the streets, potentially concealing mass graves while Rwandan forces evacuated their casualties.
Amid the devastation, hundreds of Goma residents started to return to the city after the rebels pledged to reinstate essential services like water and electricity. The neighborhoods were in disarray, strewn with remnants of conflict and tainted with the smell of blood. Jean Marcus, a 25-year-old resident who lost a relative in the fighting, expressed feeling overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty.
The rebel group M23, the most formidable among over 100 armed factions vying for dominance in eastern Congo’s resource-rich region, is supported by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, as confirmed by UN experts. This backing surpasses the levels seen in 2012 when Goma was first captured, highlighting the ethnic tensions fueling the conflict.
As the M23 rebels continued their offensive, the Congolese army successfully recaptured several villages in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory that had fallen to the rebels earlier in the week. The military’s strength has been compromised after suffering significant losses and facing surrenders to the rebels following Goma’s fall.
The capture of Goma has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, affecting a significant portion of the six million people displaced by the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The rebels have declared their intention to march towards Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, located 1,600 kilometers to the west.
Following an assessment conducted by the World Health Organization and its partners in collaboration with the Congolese government, it was reported that 700 individuals lost their lives and 2,800 were injured in Goma and its vicinity between January 26-30. The rebel incursion has led to extrajudicial killings, forced conscription, and other human rights violations, as confirmed by the UN.
Amid the conflict, allegations of sexual violence by both Congolese forces and the rebel group have emerged, further exacerbating the dire situation. The disruption caused by Goma’s capture has severely impacted humanitarian operations, impeding the delivery of crucial aid across eastern Congo.
The turmoil in eastern Congo continues to escalate, with the region facing ongoing violence, displacement, and humanitarian challenges.
