Contrasting scenes of daily life clash with violence in Goma, where the M23 rebel group has taken control, leaving residents in fear and hospitals overwhelmed with casualties.
Rising Fears in Goma: A City Under Rebel Control
Rising Fears in Goma: A City Under Rebel Control
As tensions escalate in eastern DR Congo, BBC reports on the harrowing conditions faced by citizens in Goma.
Amidst the bustling streets of Goma, a city with nearly two million residents, a stark reality unfolds as the M23 rebel group has taken control, accentuating the chaos and suffering in eastern DR Congo. Despite a façade of normalcy with pedestrians and vendors filling the streets, an ominous presence is felt throughout the city, especially at military checkpoints where armed M23 fighters oversee the area.
The recent takeover by M23, a group with aspirations for minority rights and alleged backing from Rwanda, has resulted in tragic consequences. According to reports, 700 lives have been lost in the clashes, while an astounding 3,000 people have sustained injuries. In one of the few hospitals still operating, medical staff are feeling the weight of this crisis. Dr. Nathaniel Cirho, who himself was struck by shrapnel, recounted the devastation: "I sustained an injury on my arm. A 65-year-old man was injured on his abdomen. After surgery, he didn't survive," he lamented, epitomizing the personal tragedies unfolding in the wards.
Further illustrating the magnitude of human suffering, another patient, an elderly woman, described how she had to extract a bullet from her own arm before receiving treatment days later, showcasing the dire medical situation wherein hospitals are overwhelmed with gunshot victims. All the while, sexual violence has been reported as a weapon of war, with several victims treated for gender-based violence.
As Goma attempts to recover from the violence, businesses struggle to reopen amidst a climate of fear and uncertainty. Shop owner Sammy Matabishi expressed the prevailing anxiety, stating, "People are afraid... I am still afraid because those who caused the tension are still with us." Many residents have fled to neighboring regions in search of safety, impacting trade and economic stability.
The absence of active Congolese soldiers during the M23 occupation raises questions about the government’s ability to protect its citizens. Witnesses report that soldiers abandoned their posts and shed their uniforms at the onset of the rebels' advance. Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping forces intended to safeguard civilians seem unable to intervene effectively, further highlighting the fragile situation.
As Goma remains in the grip of M23 control, the rebel group sets its sights on expansion towards the capital, Kinshasa. Reflecting on the dire circumstances, Goma serves as a stark reminder of the potential fate awaiting more communities in eastern DR Congo should the conflict persist and intensify, leaving echoes of fear and uncertainty in its wake.
The recent takeover by M23, a group with aspirations for minority rights and alleged backing from Rwanda, has resulted in tragic consequences. According to reports, 700 lives have been lost in the clashes, while an astounding 3,000 people have sustained injuries. In one of the few hospitals still operating, medical staff are feeling the weight of this crisis. Dr. Nathaniel Cirho, who himself was struck by shrapnel, recounted the devastation: "I sustained an injury on my arm. A 65-year-old man was injured on his abdomen. After surgery, he didn't survive," he lamented, epitomizing the personal tragedies unfolding in the wards.
Further illustrating the magnitude of human suffering, another patient, an elderly woman, described how she had to extract a bullet from her own arm before receiving treatment days later, showcasing the dire medical situation wherein hospitals are overwhelmed with gunshot victims. All the while, sexual violence has been reported as a weapon of war, with several victims treated for gender-based violence.
As Goma attempts to recover from the violence, businesses struggle to reopen amidst a climate of fear and uncertainty. Shop owner Sammy Matabishi expressed the prevailing anxiety, stating, "People are afraid... I am still afraid because those who caused the tension are still with us." Many residents have fled to neighboring regions in search of safety, impacting trade and economic stability.
The absence of active Congolese soldiers during the M23 occupation raises questions about the government’s ability to protect its citizens. Witnesses report that soldiers abandoned their posts and shed their uniforms at the onset of the rebels' advance. Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping forces intended to safeguard civilians seem unable to intervene effectively, further highlighting the fragile situation.
As Goma remains in the grip of M23 control, the rebel group sets its sights on expansion towards the capital, Kinshasa. Reflecting on the dire circumstances, Goma serves as a stark reminder of the potential fate awaiting more communities in eastern DR Congo should the conflict persist and intensify, leaving echoes of fear and uncertainty in its wake.
