M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, claimed control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, early Monday. This development comes as the Congolese government cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda, with Congolese spokesman Patrick Muyaya calling the situation a "declaration of war." He emphasized, "We are in a war situation where the news is changing."
Goma, situated in the mineral-rich North Kivu province where over a third of the population is already displaced, now faces further instability. The UN peacekeepers started processing surrendering Congolese soldiers, while Bintou Keita, the UN special representative, reported to the Security Council that the presence of M23 and Rwandan forces caused "mass panic." Keita noted, "M23 has declared the airspace over Goma closed. In other words, we are trapped."
Congo's foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, accused Rwanda of "frontal aggression." Rwanda's UN ambassador, Ernest Rwamucyo, however, pointed at Congo's alleged failure to commit to peace. Despite Rwanda's denial, UN experts estimate up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are present in Congo.
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International calls for a ceasefire are intensifying. Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea urged Rwanda to withdraw its support for M23, warning that the US would "consider all the tools at its disposal" for accountability. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the M23 actions, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities, as recent violence resulted in the deaths of two South African and one Uruguayan peacekeeper, with more injured. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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