Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Amid the ongoing clash between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in the country that has led to death and displacement of thousands of people, the eastern city of Goma was captured according to claims by the Rwandan backed rebels. Reports from Africa news state gunshots were head across Goma through out the night before dozens of rebels in military uniform matched into the city early Monday morning. The largest city of Congo Goma, is rich in minerals that are critical to much of the world’s technology. Fear had already been instilled as residents feared their advancement following the capture of another town last week.
Reacting to the latest capturing, thousands of residents fled their home in panic. On Monday morning thousands of residents flooded Bukavu’s main streets denouncing the complicity and silence of the international community, despite the worsening situation faced by the populations in the east of the country.
The UN has reportedy described a mass panic among Goma’s 2 million residents while Congo’s government said the rebel advance was a “declaration of war”. With the escalation of this long time conflict humanitarian organization warns of a worsening situation for displaced residents.
In response to this escalation, reports state Kenyan President William Ruto, head of the East African Community, has called for an extraordinary summit. This crucial meeting will bring together regional leaders, including Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame to address the conflict. The UN security council has demanded the withdrawal of M23, while some international voices including France have called for a peacekeeping mandate to intervene effectively.
