Goma in Peril: Scars of War Haunt Eastern DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo, has descended into turmoil after M23 rebels seized control. With over 1.2 million newly displaced and a humanitarian crisis escalating, the city struggles under violence, economic collapse, and a rise in crime. Aid organizations face overwhelming challenges as residents confront the harsh realities of war’s lingering scars.
GOMA, DR Congo, May 14 — The city of Goma, a once-bustling hub located beneath the towering Mount Nyiragongo, is shrouded in a tense silence, more than three months after the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group seized its control. Daily life remains painfully disrupted, and the residents, numbering over two million, grapple with the shadows of a conflict that has persisted for decades.
On January 27, M23 fighters advanced into Goma, declaring the city under their control. This takeover resonated ominously with the past as many recall 2012, when the same rebel group briefly dominated the city. Heavy fighting ensued, transforming suburban neighborhoods into a war zone as shells rained down on the population, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life exceeding 8,500 people and nearly 5,600 injuries. Eyewitness accounts described the tragic deaths of pregnant women and infants amidst the chaos.
Although M23 announced a “humanitarian ceasefire” on February 4, violence has yet to subside in the North and South Kivu provinces. The group captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, and fortified its positions across the region, leading analysts to caution that this round of fighting could be particularly entrenched. Corneille Nangaa, the former head of the electoral commission, has openly expressed the aspirations of M23, vowing to “liberate the entire country, including Kinshasa.”
Post-takeover, Goma fell into an eerie quiet. While gunfire ceased, an atmosphere of disorder took hold. Previously vibrant commercial areas are now desolate, and the banking system is effectively paralyzed, resulting in cash shortages. Crime has surged, especially after dark. The absence of government authority enabled M23 to impose taxes and tolls, further aggravating the local populace’s suffering.
The humanitarian situation is dire. The International Organization for Migration reports that over 1.2 million individuals have been displaced in North and South Kivu provinces since January alone. Many who initially sought refuge in Goma found themselves fleeing yet again, only to return to their villages, which often lie in ruins, their communities devastated and roads obliterated.
To the west of Goma, the town of Sake has become a focal point for conflict, serving as Goma’s final line of defense. Intense street battles between M23 and Congolese forces—bolstered by local militias—have wreaked havoc, leaving the town scarred and in shambles. Danger still looms in the area, as unexploded ordnance litter fields nearby. “We have discovered live shells in over ten locations,” shared local resident Christian Kabuya, warning of fatalities among children from these remnants of war.
Ndosho Hospital, the last facility in western Goma admitting casualties, is overwhelmed. Supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), it faces tremendous pressure. Veteran aid worker Taoffic Mohamed Toure characterized the situation in eastern Congo as “uniquely complex,” noting the multitude of conflicts and unpredictable violence that define this region.
As diplomatic negotiations stall and ceasefire promises collapse, the people of eastern DRC continue to live in fear. In Goma, the remnants of war linger heavily upon the land, scarred by conflict. With the shadow of Nyiragongo looming overhead, the scars of war, both visible and emotional, remain fresh and painfully real.
The ongoing conflict in Goma and its surrounding areas has critically affected the lives of millions, with the M23 rebel group imposing control and intensifying violence. The humanitarian crisis deepens as displacement numbers rise, and once-thriving regions crumble under the weight of war. The international community’s involvement remains vital, yet elusive, leaving the people caught between rising crime and collapsing infrastructure to navigate this precarious situation. As echoes of past conflicts resonate, the path to peace appears daunting and obscured.
Original Source: english.news.cn
