Fight for Goma: M23 rebels break the ceasefire-hundreds of deaths!

Fight for Goma: M23 rebels break the ceasefire-hundreds of deaths!

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is bubbling again: The rebel militia M23 broke the one -sided ceasefire announced a few days ago and started several attacks in the Nyabibwe region. The Congolese Minister of Communications Patrick Muyaya confirmed that the M23 has met with violent resistance from the Congolese armed forces. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the militant coalition, exposed the tense situation: "You attacked us and we defended ourselves," he reported. These renewed fights could herald the M23 offensive towards Bukavu, the capital of the province of South Kivu. At the end of January, the rebels had conquered the strategically important city of Goma, which led to a massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of people who had to fear for their lives.

massive violence and humanitarian crisis

The recent arguments have devastating consequences: According to the World Health Organization (WHO, at least 900 people were killed in just a few days and estimated 3,000. The citizens of Goma continue to struggle with the consequences of violence - the corpses are on the streets, while the local hospitals are overcrowded. Statement "for humanitarian reasons" has been unilaterally to defend your positions.

The international community looks at the conflict with concern, especially since Rwanda is suspected to support the M23 in its aggressive advances. The Congolese government accuses the neighbors of being interested in the raw materials in the east of the country, while Rwanda in turn indicates to act against threats for their own security. It remains uncertain whether the supposed ceasefire is actually holding or the M23 continues to march towards the Kavumu Airport and thus marches for the Bukavus incorporation. In view of the enormous resources in the region - gold, Coltan and other valuable metals - experts emphasize the explosiveness of the situation. This topic illustrates the complexity of the conflict, alerted NGOs and humanitarian organizations.

like tagesschau.de , the risk of a larger regional conflict cannot be dismissed. The tensions between the two countries could be discussed at a summit of this week in the South and East African countries.