Panic in Goma
Heavy fights in the Eastern Congo – three million people threaten siege
The fighting escalate in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Millions of civilians are surrounded – the rebels supported by the neighbor Rwanda are getting closer.
In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda besieged the provincial capital Goma. The city on the banks of Lake Kivu, in which around three million people, including refugees, are to be surrounded. Heavy fights take place in the city of Sake, which is around 25 kilometers away, which represents the last hurdle for the rebels before Goma.
Nine South African peace soldiers were killed in the battles near Goma, including two members of the UN peace mission Monusco, as the South African military said. The UN had previously spoken of nine injured blue helmets. The UN Security Council in New York has scheduled a meeting for Monday.
Where the slaves of our prosperity to work
The Saphirmine of Ilakaka, Madagascar
Even for the simplest of work, people are used here instead of machines, which pays off because wages per worker and day are only two US dollars. Because of its Swiss owner, this mine is called “Swiss Bank”.
© Toby Smith, Unknown Fildes / Man Without Mining / Historical Museums Hamburg Foundation
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EU condemns Rwanda for his support for the hottest
The European Union, the African Union and the UN have asked the rebels and their supporters to end the violence immediately. “The EU is condemned by Rwanda’s military presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This support for the M23’s offensive by the Rwandic armed forces is a clear violation of international law, UN Charter and the Territorial Integrability,” said the EU- Foreign representative Kaja Kallas.
Both the Congolese government in Kinshasa and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group with weapons, among other things. According to an expert report, there are more than 1,000 Rwandic soldiers in the region. Rwanda denies this. The rebels are accused of murders and mass rape.
Rebels check Coltan reduction in the DR Congo
The Ostkongo has rich raw material occurrence. The metal Coltan is particularly valuable. It plays an important role in the production of laptops, smartphones or the batteries of electric cars. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most important Coltan producers worldwide. The M23 controls the dismantling of the Coltan in the areas conquered by the militia.
The rebel group, which was particularly active in the province of North-Kivu for years, has expanded its activities and is now also fighting in the neighboring province of South Kivu, from which the UN peace troops were withdrawn last year.
Conflict has been dramatically escalating for a few days
In the past few days, the militias have conquered the strategically important place Minova and then briefly brought Sake under their control before they were pushed back by Congolese soldiers.
The rebels with heavy artillery shoot from positions on the surrounding hills. According to no information, blue helmet soldiers patrol with the Congolese army and support the securing of the civilian population that gets into the crossfire. At first there were no figures on dead and injured.
According to the United Nations, the conflict has led to the expulsion of over 400,000 people in the region in the past three weeks alone. The displaced people lack food, water and medical care. For fear of conquering Goma, many people flee to neighboring Rwanda across the border.
Dpa
yks
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
