Eastern Congo faces a grave humanitarian crisis with over 3,000 fatalities, widespread displacement, and severe shortages of food and medical care. Goma is under siege from the M23 rebel group and Rwandan military forces, prompting a state of emergency. Ongoing negotiations in Tanzania may address the conflict, but accusations of Rwandan support for rebels complicate matters. Experts believe the conflict is fueled by competition over the region’s rich mineral resources, with calls for a political resolution growing increasingly urgent.
Dire Situation in Eastern Congo
In Eastern Congo, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with thousands of lives lost, countless injuries, and a massive displacement of people. As the situation escalates, countries involved in the conflict are engaging in negotiations to explore potential resolutions, with financial interests looming large.
Chaos in Goma Amidst Ongoing Violence
The city of Goma has been under siege for nearly two weeks now, facing attacks from the M23 rebel group and military forces from Rwanda. Patrick Muyaya, the government spokesperson of the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared a state of emergency, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
“The situation is dire. We have recorded over 3,000 fatalities, with approximately 800 bodies still unclaimed in morgues under harrowing conditions,” Muyaya stated.
Goma is descending into chaos, as hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel are stretched to their limits, struggling to provide care.
With around 700,000 individuals displaced, many are seeking refuge in makeshift shelters, including churches and schools. Reports of sexual violence and looting are emerging, and trauma is widespread among the affected populace, according to Caritas International workers who have resumed operations in Goma. The M23 militia claims that their ceasefire declaration is based on humanitarian concerns, though the government has yet to respond.
There is a critical shortage of food, with children bearing the brunt of malnutrition. Access to clean drinking water and essential medications is also severely limited. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warns that without immediate intervention, the worst may still be on the horizon. “It is crucial for the global community to take notice; a political resolution is essential here. All parties involved must enter into negotiations,” Türk urged.
Negotiations and Accusations
Currently, discussions regarding the conflict are taking place in Tanzania, where the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi respectively, are expected to meet. Tshisekedi’s spokesperson indicated in a radio interview that Congo anticipates an immediate ceasefire from the summit, the withdrawal of Rwandan forces, and the restoration of control over Goma. However, it remains uncertain if Rwanda will acquiesce.
The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels with troops and weapons, a claim that President Kagame firmly denies, asserting that the actions are meant to protect the Tutsi minority in Congo from the Hutu majority. Kagame, himself a Tutsi, has been a key figure in this ongoing conflict.
For over a decade, the M23 group has been embroiled in battles in Eastern Congo. But what drives this prolonged conflict?
Experts suggest that the root cause lies in the region’s rich mineral resources. Peter-Simon Handy from the Institute of Security Studies argues that the conflict is primarily about controlling these valuable resources, which rebels and Rwanda seek to exploit. “It’s not simply about Congolese minerals being sold through Rwanda; there are signs that illegal mining operations extend to Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania,” Handy explains.
Experts estimate that Rwanda’s mineral resource exports exceed one billion dollars annually, double the amount from two years prior. Much of this wealth is believed to originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Rwanda lacks sufficient reserves of coltan, gold, and other precious materials. Amidst these complexities, there is a collective hope for peace in Congo, yet uncertainty prevails, as financial stakes and power dynamics remain at play.