Scars of War Echo Through Goma, Eastern DR Congo After M23 Takeover
Goma, DR Congo, remains in turmoil following the M23 rebel group’s takeover, with significant violence disrupting daily life. Over 1.2 million people are displaced, facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The city, now quiet, bears witness to the scars of war, as residents deal with economic collapse and ongoing dangers from unexploded ordnance.
Goma, once a lively crossing point beneath Mount Nyiragongo, sits in a tense state following the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group’s takeover in January. Now more than three months later, daily life in Goma is starkly altered. Residents, numbering over two million, reflect on past trauma, recalling the brief capture by M23 back in 2012.
Recent armed clashes turned Goma into a war-torn area where residential neighborhoods suffered heavy shelling, especially around critical infrastructure like the airport and border crossings. According to the DRC government, over 8,500 lives have been lost, with injuries exceeding 5,600. Displaced individuals bore the brunt of this violence, with tragic reports of fatalities among pregnant women and infants.
Although M23 declared a “humanitarian ceasefire” in early February, violence persists, and the rebel group has taken control of Bukavu, South Kivu’s capital. Analysts express concerns that this conflict phase may be deeper-rooted than previous ones. Corneille Nangaa, leading M23’s political efforts, has ominously announced aims to “liberate the entire country,” even eyeing Kinshasa.
In the aftermath of Goma’s capture, an unsettling calm has replaced gunfire, yet chaos and oppression reign. Commercial areas lay dormant, the banking system is near collapse, and nighttime crime has escalated. With official governance almost nonexistent, M23 has set up checkpoints and imposed tariffs on local travel.
The humanitarian footprint of this crisis is staggering, with the International Organization for Migration estimating over 1.2 million new displacements in Kivu provinces since January. Many who fled to Goma now find themselves displaced yet again, facing loss of homes and livelihoods.
A 72-hour ultimatum from M23 in February forced the evacuation of major displacement camps, including Bulengo and Lushagala. Families hurriedly left, carrying only a few possessions, yet returning home was often met with devastation, including flattened homes and impassable roads.
Sake, just 27 kilometers west of Goma, has faced fierce battles as M23 combats local militias and Congolese forces. The town illustrates the ongoing devastation, with street fighting laying waste to homes and infrastructure. Danger lurks in unvisited areas, where unexploded ordnance threatens residents daily. “We’ve found live shells in over ten locations,” noted Christian Kabuya, an area resident, emphasizing the peril faced by locals, particularly children.
In western Goma, the last functioning hospital, Ndosho, is inundated with patients needing urgent care. The facility operates under the guidance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which faces immense challenges here. Taoffic Mohamed Toure, a veteran ICRC staff member, remarked, “The situation here is uniquely complex,” indicating the numerous conflicting interests at play.
As efforts for diplomatic resolution stall and ceasefires disintegrate, the local populace continues to bear the heavy price of this extended conflict. Goma, where volcanic rock now bears silent witness to recent battles, still grapples with the lingering scars of war, a distressing reminder of unrest and uncertain futures.
In summary, Goma, DR Congo, is grappling with the aftermath of M23’s takeover, deeply affecting its citizens and infrastructure. Despite a proclaimed ceasefire, violence continues, leading to significant casualties and displacements, leaving many to face a grim reality. The humanitarian situation remains dire, compounded by ongoing insecurity and economic collapse, as the people of Goma endure the scars of conflict, both physically and psychologically.
Original Source: english.news.cn
