Escalation in the Ostkongo: Occupied resistance in Goma continues – clinics overcrowded

The fights in the Eastern Congolese provincial capital Goma between government troops and the rebel militia M23 are ongoing – albeit less violently than in the past few days. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the city of the million is headed by aid organizations. According to reports of eyewitnesses, the rebel militia controls several districts, including the airport.

While some of the soldiers of the M23 government army had arisen and was disarmed in the Goma stadium, other soldiers maintained the resistance. Until late afternoon, there were further fighting in some districts.

Romanian mercenaries leave the country

Gone is the fight for a group of Romanian mercenaries who, on behalf of a security company, protected government buildings and fought against the M23 alongside the government forces. After looking for refuge in the barracks of the UN peacekeepers Monusco in the past few days, they were allowed to leave the country and are already in the Rwandian border town of Gisenyi. According to Rwandian media reports, they should be flown from Kigali to their home countries. “It is a relief to leave the city,” said one of the men at the border crossing of the German Press Agency.

Overcrowded hospitals and many injured civilians

Aid organizations report catastrophic conditions – especially in healthcare. Surgical teams of the Red Cross are in action around the clock, said Myriam Favier, head of the Delegation of the International Comittee from the Red Cross in Goma. However, in view of the overcrowding of the hospital, some of the injured patients have to wait for treatment lying on the ground. Numerous civilians got into the crossfire in the fights.

On Tuesday alone, 37 patients were treated with gunshot wounds and bullet injuries, said Virginie Napolitano, emergency assistance coordinator of “Doctors Without Borders” (MSF) in Goma. About half of them were civilians. In the Kyeshero Hospital, where MSF teams work, a bullet hit the ceiling of the operating room during an operation.

Medical material had also occurred. A colleague had suffered a gunshot wound during an attack in his home that medical facilities were also shot at during the fights.

Rebels announce hard action against looters

Meanwhile, the M23 tries to demonstrate its authority and ensure more security in Goma. The militia announced that looters were killed if they were caught in the act. In the past few days, systematic looting in supermarkets and shops had come. The location for the city’s residents is still difficult – there is no electricity, the Internet only works partially.

When does the president speak?

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 Tuesday evening, but it did not take place. Now it was said that he would comment on Wednesday.

So far, Goma has also noticed the expected arrival of Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the “Alliance Fleuve Congo”. 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.

700,000 internal refugees in Goma alone and the surrounding area

The fights of the past few days and weeks had triggered an escape movement in the Eastern Congo. In its latest figures of around 700,000 internal refugees, the UN-Nothilfe program is based on Goma and the surrounding area alone. Jean Francois Basse, the representative of the UN Children’s Aid Unicef, spoke of numerous children who were separated from their families while fleeing. They are therefore increasingly exposed to risks such as kidnapping, compulsory recruitment in armed groups and sexual violence.

“Families leave the refugee camps because they fear not to be sure of attacks here,” said Maina Kingori, country director of the aid organization Care in the Congo. “The constant sound of shots is traumatizing. The uncertainty as to whether they are safe leads to fears with deep psychological consequences in children.”

International pressure on Rwanda required

In view of the violence in the country, the Democratic Republic of Congo calls for international action with the obvious participation of soldiers from Rwanda. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner demanded that the UN Security Council must finally take measures against the neighboring country Rwanda.

The government in Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23. This view is also shared by UN experts. The independent UN expert council for the Congo assumed at least 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandic soldiers in the Eastern Congo at the end of 2024. However, Rwanda denies to support the rebels and justifies his troop presence with the protection of your own security.