GOMA, Congo — This week, a tragic escalation of violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 773 individuals in Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, and its surrounding areas, following intense clashes with rebels reportedly backed by Rwanda. Congolese officials stated on Saturday that this conflict marked a significant intensification of a struggle that has been ongoing for more than a decade. Although the government forces have managed to regain control over some villages, their military capabilities have been significantly diminished.
At a press briefing in Kinshasa, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed the shocking toll of 773 dead and approximately 2,880 people injured, with many locations such as morgues and hospitals filled to capacity. He cautioned that these numbers might be underestimated, as rebels have reportedly compelled residents to clear the streets of Goma. “There may also be mass graves, as rebels took measures to evacuate their casualties,” Muyaya remarked.
Despite the chaos, many residents began returning to Goma on Saturday after the rebels indicated they would restore essential services such as water and electricity. Individuals worked to clean their neighborhoods, which were strewn with debris and deeply affected by the violence. Jean Marcus, a resident aged 25 who lost a family member during the unrest, expressed his despair, stating, “I’m tired and don’t know which way to go. Mourning is happening at every corner.”
The M23 rebel group has emerged as one of the most formidable factions among over 100 armed groups competing for power in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo, home to crucial resources utilized in global technology production. Reports indicate that approximately 4,000 troops from Rwanda are backing the M23, significantly more than during their previous incursion into Goma in 2012, which had been largely fueled by ethnic tensions.
As hostilities persisted on Saturday, Congolese forces successfully reclaimed the villages of Sanzi, Muganzo, and Mukwidja, located in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu, after having been overrun by rebels earlier in the week, according to local civil society representatives who spoke on the condition of anonymity for safety reasons. However, the Congolese military has faced severe setbacks, losing numerous soldiers and surrendering foreign mercenaries amidst the conflict.
U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix highlighted that M23 and Rwandan forces were advancing toward Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu, covering considerable distances. He noted that the capture of a nearby airport would mark a significant escalation for the rebels.
The humanitarian situation in Goma has deteriorated sharply, with U.N. agencies describing the capture of the city as a catalyst for a worsening crisis. Goma is a critical humanitarian center for the millions of people displaced by ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo, and rebels have intimated plans to advance toward Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, which lies 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the west.
U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported on Friday that the World Health Organization conducted an evaluation in collaboration with Congo’s government earlier this year, which indicated that 700 individuals had perished and 2,800 sustained injuries related to the conflict. These figures correspond with the reports of casualties during the defined period.
The ongoing rebel offensives have led to violence that includes extrajudicial killings and the forced conscription of civilians, according to U.N. human rights office spokesman Jeremy Laurence. He noted that at least 12 summary executions were documented between January 26 and 28, and mentioned the troubling habit of rebels taking over schools and hospitals while coercing civilians into labor.
Amidst these challenges, Congolese forces have also faced accusations of sexual violence perpetrated during the ongoing skirmishes, including reports of 52 women raped by soldiers in South Kivu, as confirmed by Laurence. The capture of Goma has severely hindered humanitarian efforts, effectively halting crucial operations across eastern Congo.
Rose Tchwenko, the country director for Mercy Corps in Congo, expressed grave concerns regarding the escalation of violence toward Bukavu, warning that it could lead to further displacement while restricting humanitarian access and leaving many communities without necessary support.
