GOMA: Update On Crisis In Eastern Congo

Eyewitnesses reported that they—witnessed UN non-essential staff being evacuated from Goma International Airport—and this morning, hearing missile launchers and artillery near our hotel as reports of Rwandan troops approaching Goma gained credibility, the situation has escalated drastically. We were roughly 5Km away from areas where reports indicated that Rwandan troops had crossed the border into Goma. It’s fair to say that panic and fear have gripped the population, as what appears to be a Rwandan invasion unfolds.

This crisis has been building for some time, but it has now reached a critical point where hundreds of thousands of people, already displaced, are being forced to flee once again. We’ve been told that over 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are heading into Goma. Early this morning, while filming, we saw dozens of people carrying their belongings on their backs, moving deeper into the city. Shortly afterward, we heard gunfire and were attacked, underscoring that even in Goma—considered a final safe haven—no one is truly safe.

We have spoken to MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission, which has been trying to maintain a protective perimeter around Goma to safeguard civilians seeking humanitarian assistance. As the humanitarian hub and capital of eastern DRC, Goma remains a focal point of aid efforts. However, MONUSCO has had to adjust its strategy. In a short span of time, they have lost 13 peacekeepers and reported 50 others wounded in battles against M23 rebels. Yesterday, M23 issued an ultimatum to the Congolese army, demanding they lay down their arms within 48 hours and calling on MONUSCO to cease fighting and return to their mandate of protecting civilians.

MONUSCO, however, views combating M23 as part of its duty to protect civilians. Rwanda, which has long denied publicly supporting M23, has become bolder in its backing of the group as they gain territory. A UN panel of experts reported last December that between 3,000 and 5,000 Rwandan troops are currently in the DRC. Given the decades-long history of conflict between Rwanda and the DRC, the situation is highly volatile.