In brief
Residents of Goma, a city recently overtaken by Rwanda-backed rebels, are now facing severe shortages of water and food, amidst rising violence and instability.
After a week's intense clashes, M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have taken almost complete control of Goma, a city of two million people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. With hospitals overwhelmed and morgues filled, the local population is emerging from hiding, desperate for resources. The national military, tasked with their protection, has been swept aside. In a harrowing scene at Goma’s main stadium, M23 forces were seen loading captured Congolese soldiers into trucks. These soldiers—many still in their uniforms—expressed anger and betrayal, blaming President Felix Tshisekedi for abandoning them during the conflict. As M23 forces advanced, Congolese commanders and officials reportedly fled under cover of darkness, abandoning their troops. The desperate situation in Goma has led to calls for accountability, with soldiers vowing to take action against those they believe have betrayed them. The region now braces for further turmoil as the humanitarian crisis unfolds.
