Congo tries to slow assault of Rwanda-backed rebels amid reports of dead bodies in streets

Congolese security forces are trying to halt the advance of the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda. The rebels claim to have captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, while UN officials report violence, looting, and dead bodies in the streets. Hospitals in Goma are overwhelmed, officials said Tuesday (early Wednesday AEST). The conflict marks a major escalation of long-standing tensions in the region, as Goma is a regional trade and humanitarian hub, as well as a refuge for hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled their homes due to gunfire and shelling.

The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province, which includes Goma. The province is rich in minerals critical to much of the world’s technology. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, said in a media briefing on Tuesday that there were reports of fighters committing gender-based violence and rape, looting property including humanitarian warehouses, and attacks on humanitarian and health facilities.

“The humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains extremely concerning, with heavy small arms fire and mortar fire throughout the city this morning and a number of dead bodies in the streets,” Laerke said. He added that hospitals were “struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.” Many people continue to flee across the border into Rwanda, risking gunfire and heavy rain, caught between fighting between Congolese soldiers and the rebels.

“What we want is for this war to end,” said Christian Bahati, a Congolese teacher among hundreds sheltering in Gisenyi, Rwanda. “You can see how much frustration there is. The Congolese people are the victims, but now they find themselves seeking refuge with the aggressors.” Meanwhile, dozens of protesters in the capital Kinshasa set fire to parts of at least nine foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, Belgium, Kenya, and Uganda.

Protesters are demanding that the international community condemn Rwanda's role in the conflict. “We denounce the hypocrisy of the international community,” said Timothée Chishimbi, one of the protesters. “They must tell Rwanda to stop this adventurism.” The attacks were condemned by the countries involved, as well as the Congolese government, which said it had reinforced security at the embassies. It is unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the M23 rebels, but analysts say they are more emboldened than in 2012, when they briefly seized Goma but were forced to withdraw under international pressure.

They resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to the Congolese government and UN experts. Rwanda has denied this support, although UN experts estimate there are as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops inside Congo. “From the morning, we have been hearing explosions and the crackle of bullets,” said Sam Luwawa, a resident of Goma, speaking about the fighting in the city. “So far, we can’t say who really controls the city.” According to UN and military officials, 17 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers have been killed in the fighting.

Manzi Ngarambe, a representative of the M23 diaspora, told the Associated Press that the group controlled Goma and planned to establish an administration in the city so people could continue their normal lives and displaced people could return home. “There will be no bloodshed, and we want to live in peace,” Ngarambe said. “Now we want to tell our people around the world (to) come back home.” Ngarambe said they were willing to sit down and negotiate with Congolese officials and denied they were backed by Rwanda.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi “must accept negotiations with the M23 to definitively end the situation.” Rwandan military spokesman Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga told the AP that Rwanda’s goal in Congo was to protect its borders from attacks, adding that appropriate measures would be “comprehensive,” including using water, air, and land defenses.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame recently accused Congo of recruiting Hutu rebels and former militiamen, whom he blames for the 1994 genocide. “Those who murdered people in Rwanda are still there, still armed, still practicing the ideology of genocide in eastern Congo near us … with the support of the government … under the watch of the international community,” Kagame said earlier this month while meeting with diplomats.

Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Congo, told reporters in a video news briefing on Monday that the humanitarian situation in Goma was “extremely, extremely concerning.” Lemarquis said on Monday that several shells had hit the Charité Maternity Hospital in central Goma, “causing casualties among civilians, including newborns and pregnant women,” and described active fighting zones in all parts of the city. Aid organizations are unable to reach displaced people who depend on them for food and other necessities.

“The main roads around Goma are blocked, and the city’s airport is not available for evacuation and humanitarian work,” said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid organization World Vision. “Electricity and water have reportedly been cut off in many parts of the city.” In addition to the UN, several countries, including the United States, Britain, and France, have also condemned the Rwandan-backed rebel advance.

However, Rwanda has blamed Congo for escalating the situation, saying it failed to abide by past peace agreements and that Rwanda needed to take a “continued defensive posture.” Some analysts fear that a regional war could erupt if Kenyan-led peace efforts fail. Past attempts at dialogue between Congolese and Rwandan leaders have failed, including a meeting between the two leaders that was canceled last December. Murithi Mutiga, Africa program director at the Crisis Group, said Congo was “humiliated” and may seek support from countries like South Africa — whose troops are part of a foreign force inside Congo — while Rwanda may continue to support the M23 rebels. “The risk of regional conflict has never been higher,” Mutiga said.