Breaking: M23 Captures Strategic City of Goma Amid Rising Conflict in DR Congo

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3 months ago

M23 rebels claim control of Goma, DR Congo. The UN condemns the “flagrant disregard” for the country’s sovereignty.

What You Need to Know:

M23 Rebels Capture Goma: M23 rebels have claimed control of the key city of Goma in eastern DR Congo, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region.
UN Condemnation: The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the “flagrant disregard” for DR Congo’s sovereignty, calling for an immediate halt to the violence and respect for the nation’s territorial integrity.
Summit Announcement: Kenya has announced that DR Congo and Rwanda have agreed to attend a summit to discuss the escalating crisis and potential paths to peace.
Casualties Among Peacekeepers: Soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay have been killed in the fierce fighting, highlighting the risks faced by international peacekeeping forces in the region.
Closing of Blog Update: This blog update has now closed. For more details and developments on the story from Monday, January 27, 2025, click here.
Ongoing Situation: M23 rebels continue their advance in eastern DR Congo, and the international community remains on high alert as the conflict intensifies.

France Condemns M23 Offensive in East Congo

France has expressed its strong condemnation of the M23 rebel group’s offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reiterated Paris’ solidarity with the Congolese government in Kinshasa and criticized the ongoing violence that has led to significant casualties.

“France strongly condemns the offensive led by the M23, which is backed by the Rwandan armed forces. This offensive has resulted in the deaths of six peacekeepers and the displacement of thousands of civilians. The fighting must stop, and dialogue must resume,” Barrot stated as he arrived at the Council of European Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

The French condemnation follows the M23 rebels’ claim of capturing the strategic city of Goma in eastern Congo. This development has heightened international concerns over the escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis in the region.

UN Security Council Denounces ‘Flagrant Disregard’ for Sovereignty in DRC

The UN Security Council has issued a strong condemnation of the M23 rebel group’s ongoing offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), demanding an immediate halt to their advance towards Goma. The Council also called for the withdrawal of “external forces” supporting the rebels.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Security Council condemned the “flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC” and expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of violence in the region.

Furthermore, the Council raised alarms over the use of GPS jamming and spoofing activities that are allegedly being carried out to support M23 operations in North Kivu. These tactics have added to the complexity of the conflict, with the international body urging all involved parties to respect the DRC’s sovereignty and work toward de-escalation.

M23 Claims Control of Goma

M23 rebels have claimed to have taken control of the strategic eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) early on Monday.

The rebels made the announcement just moments before a 48-hour deadline they had set for the Congolese army to disarm and surrender expired. In their statement, M23 urged residents of Goma to remain calm and instructed Congolese forces to gather at the central stadium.

The claims of the city’s capture have not been independently verified, and the situation remains fluid. The capture of Goma would mark a significant escalation in the conflict between the M23 rebels and the DRC government forces.

Kenya Announces Extraordinary Summit Over Crisis

Kenya has announced that an extraordinary summit will be held within the next two days to address the escalating crisis in eastern DR Congo. The summit will involve the presidents of DR Congo and Rwanda, who have both agreed to attend.

Kenyan President William Ruto expressed gratitude to DR Congo’s President Etienne Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for their commitment to participate in the East African Community (EAC) regional bloc’s summit.

The summit aims to “deliberate on this crisis and chart a way forward,” according to President Ruto. The upcoming talks are seen as a critical step in resolving the ongoing conflict and fostering dialogue between the nations involved.

Courtesy: Bloomberg Television

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