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Central Africa

Goma Region Bears Brunt of Ethnic Clashes Amidst Natives Yearn for Peace

January 30, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Willy Ngoma, a spokesperson for M23, said that they were keen to restore peace in the region and committed to looking after the welfare and security of the people. The spokesperson is on the UN Security Council’s sanctions list for undermining peace and security in the country.

M23 rebels are tightening their grip on Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A spokesperson for the rebels insisted that peace was their top priority. Swathes of land in the Goma region have already been occupied by the rebels.

However, global media are reporting about gory scenes in the affected Goma region, where thousands have died and millions were displaced. Most criticisms for perpetrating tensions have been levelled at neighbouring Rwanda, which denies the involvement. However, the US and the UN have claimed to have proof of Kigali’s involvement in the continuing tension.

Residents said that the arrival of the rebels deprived them of certain essentials. They complain that they have no electricity, no internet, there is nothing. According to a UN report, over a third of the population of North Kivu province have been driven from their homes, and the capture of the city will likely worsen the situation.

Pope Francis expressed his concerns over the developments in Congo. It comes as Rwanda-backed rebels captured large parts of eastern Congo’s largest city including its airport, according to the United Nations.

Much of the beleaguered city of Goma was calm early Wednesday morning, after a day during which thousands of fleeing people hunkered down by roadsides as missiles flew and injured people streamed to overwhelmed hospitals.

Pope Francis also called for an end to the violence in the capital, Kinshasa where protesters attacked at least 10 embassies, including those of Rwanda, Belgium, France, and the United States.