M23 rebels
M23 rebels: On Tuesday, nearly a week after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels took control of Goma, Red Cross personnel continued to conduct mass graves. According to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani, more than 2,000 dead have been interred thus far. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) increased the official death toll to at least 900, excluding those still being identified at morgues.
The families of the victims expressed their grief and asked for a stop to the bloodshed. “We are heartbroken. We ask the president and our deputies to get involved in restoring peace in Goma.” mourned Debors Zuzu, a heartbroken resident.
Backed by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, the M23 rebel group has tightened its hold on eastern Congo, a region renowned for its mineral wealth critical to global technology production. The recent rise in warfare has pushed hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, with many crossing into Rwanda as refugees.
Last week, M23 announced plans for establishing a government in Goma, urging locals to return to their daily lives. On Monday, they declared a unilateral ceasefire, which went into effect on Tuesday, citing humanitarian concerns. Despite this gesture, uncertainty continues as the war-torn city mourns for its casualties and strives to deal with ongoing turmoil.
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