The M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda, has seized control of Goma's airport in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, escalating a conflict that has already claimed over 100 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. International condemnation mounts as protests erupt in Kinshasa. The UN warns of ethnic tensions and potential disease outbreaks.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a major crisis as the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda , advances on the strategic city of Goma . The fighting has resulted in over 100 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries, with hospitals overwhelmed and a growing humanitarian disaster. The M23 seized control of Goma 's airport on Tuesday, raising concerns about the city's security. While Congolese forces remain present, the streets are now dominated by M23 fighters and Rwanda n troops.
Reports indicate that over 1,200 Congolese soldiers have surrendered and are confined to a UN base.The escalating conflict has prompted an emergency summit of the East African Community in Kenya, where Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will meet with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The situation has triggered international condemnation and calls for de-escalation. Protests in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, have erupted against foreign embassies, demanding intervention to halt the violence in the east. Demonstrators targeted embassies of France, Belgium, the United States, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. The US embassy has issued an evacuation order for its citizens, while the European Union's foreign policy chief has denounced the protests as unacceptable.The UN has warned of a potential resurgence of ethnic conflicts stemming from the Rwandan genocide. Reports indicate at least one ethnically motivated lynching in Goma. The UN Security Council convened to address the crisis, urging all parties to respect territorial integrity and calling for a ceasefire. China has also urged Rwanda to cease military support for the M23. The International Committee of the Red Cross is working to assist the overwhelmed hospitals in Goma, grappling with a surge of wounded. There are fears that the fighting could lead to the spread of diseases like Ebola, as samples held at a local laboratory are at risk. The UN refugee agency estimates that half a million people have been displaced since the start of the year due to the conflict in North Kivu province. The M23, which briefly occupied Goma in 2012, has re-emerged as a powerful force, raising concerns about the stability of the region. Previous attempts at peace talks have failed, and the international community is calling for a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis
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