Rebel Leader Declares Victory in Goma, Plans March to Kinshasa

The rebel leader whose fighters have seized control of Goma, Congo’s largest city in eastern regions, vows to continue their offensive toward the national capital, Kinshasa.

Corneille Nangaa, head of an alliance comprising the M23 and other rebel groups, asserts his intention to topple President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration.

Reports indicate the rebels, backed by Rwanda, are advancing toward Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Tshisekedi addressed the situation in a televised statement, issuing a stern response: “Be sure of one thing: the Democratic Republic of Congo will not let itself be humiliated or crushed. We will fight and we will triumph.”

The conflict has displaced approximately 500,000 people, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis in the region, as reported by the UN.

AFP

Civic services in Goma, including electricity and water, have been disrupted, and food is scarce.

Nangaa has declared the rebels as the new administrators of Goma, stating their intention to remain and restore essential services.

The rebels’ provocative rhetoric includes their declaration of continuing their advance to Kinshasa, a 2,600-kilometer journey from Goma—a feat reminiscent of a similar conquest by Rwanda-backed forces in 1997.

Analysts doubt the feasibility of such an extended military push.

President Kagame of Rwanda denies supporting the rebels directly but faces growing criticism from international entities.

The conflict has also strained relations between Rwanda and the southern African bloc, Sadc, with both sides accusing each of misconduct.

The M23, led by ethnic Tutsis, asserts its existence to protect the rights of the Tutsi minority in Congo.

Paul Kagame, the Tutsi president of Rwanda, counterargues that Congo harbours Hutu militias involved in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Both the UN and Sadc have peacekeepers in eastern Congo, yet failed to prevent the rebel offensive.

Several peacekeepers were killed, with South African troops suffering the highest casualties at 13.

The exchange of accusations between Rwanda’s Kagame and South Africa’s Ramaphosa highlights the strained relationship within the region.

The international community, including the UN, the European Union, the US, and China, has warned Rwanda’s military to withdraw from Congo.

Donor nations, such as the UK and Germany, threaten to pull aid from Rwanda in response to the M23’s offensive.

The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that £32 million ($40 million) of bilateral aid was threatened, while Germany halted aid talks.

The capture of Goma and subsequent threats to Kinshasa underline the complexities and ongoing disputes in eastern Congo.

The escalating tensions between regional players, coupled with international outcry, highlight the need for a peace agreement to address these issues effectively.

As the situation changes rapidly, the international community must consider new strategies to combat conflicts and promote stability in the region.

Additional reporting by Nomsa Maseko in Johannesburg