Escalation in the East Congo
Congo: M23 militia controls several districts of Goma
After intensive fights, the M23 militia in the city of Goma gained ground. Now the political leader of a rebel alliance is expected in the city. When does Congo’s president comment?
In the Eastern Congolese provincial capital Goma, rebels of the Miliz M23 control several districts, according to eyewitnesses, including the airport. A reporter of the German Press Agency observed in the city’s stadium how soldiers from the Congolese government troops and the Wazalendo militia allied with them were disarmed by M23. The last intensive fights in the city of the million on the border with Rwanda largely came to a standstill. In a UN report of Tuesday evening, there was talk of “precarious calm”.
Shots and detonations can still be heard near the border, said Ursula Langkamp, head of the local office of Welthungerhilfe, the German Press Agency. There were also detonations in a barracks of the army.
During the day, Nangaa, the leader of the “Alliance Fleuve Congo”, is expected in Goma Corneille Nangaa. It is an alliance of political and military groups that want to overthrow the government in Kinshasa. The M23 is the most important member of this group.
The Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has not yet commented on the processes in the country -rich east of the country. A speech to the nation on the crisis was actually expected for the Tuesday evening, but it did not take place.
The fights during the advance of the M23 towards Goma had triggered the flight of several hundred thousand people. The humanitarian situation in and around the city is becoming increasingly critical of interrupted supply routes. According to a police spokesman in Goma, at least 30 people were killed in the fights and 400 were injured. Other reports assume even higher number of victims.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations called for an intervention by the international community on Tuesday. UN General Secretary António Guterres had, according to his spokesman, on Tuesday morning with the President of the DRC, Felix Tshiseecedi, and with the Rwandian President Paul Kagame to be on the phone to calm the situation. The Congo accuses Rwanda of also supporting the M23 militia with its own troops.
dpa
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.
